The Bank of Valletta Premier League is now nearing completion with most of the issues already settled.

Marsaxlokk have been declared champions while Marsa and St George’s have been relegated to next season’s first division.

All that remains to be decided is the second and third placing which will determine Malta’s representatives in the UEFA Cup and Intertoto Cup.

At present, Sliema enjoy a healthy six-point cushion in second place and need only one point from their last two matches to make sure of finishing second. Birkirkara are third two points ahead of fourth placed Valletta. If the Stripes beat Msida St Joseph this afternoon and Valletta fail to beat Marsaxlokk next Monday, then the Stripes will ascertain themselves of third place – some consolation after a disastrous season.

The programme this weekend is spread over three days, starting today with the Marsa-St George’s clash followed by the encounter between Birkirkara and Msida St Joseph.

Tomorrow, Floriana face Pieta in the first match which will be followed by the Sliema-Hibernians encounter. On Monday, newly crowned champions Marsaxlokk will be facing Valletta.