Floriana may become joint leaders with Valletta FC this evening if they beat Marsaxlokk in this evening’s first match on the programme.

In the other match, Hamrun Spartans will be facing a resurgent Qormi side.

At present, Valletta lead the standings with maximum points – 12 points from four games. They are followed by Hibernians on 10, Floriana nine, Sliema eight, Birkirkara seven, Qormi six, Marsaxlokk, Mqabba and Balzan four each, Tarxien, Hamrun and Mosta one each.

The Greens are eyeing the league leadership even if they are aware that this could only be something temporary – in fact, Valletta could then regain the lead on Sunday if they avoid defeat in the match against Hibernians.

The Greens are once again passing through a good patch, but they will have to show improvement over the last two matches. After losing against their arch rivals Sliema, they struggled hard to get the better of Hamrun Spartans the past weekend.

They still won that match, however, and are now looking forward with great optimism.

Marsaxlokk will not be a cushion, however, as the southern seasiders again showed plenty of enthusiasm in their 2-2 draw with Sliema.

In the second match today, Qormi will be eyeing a third win in this campaign which will certainly push them up the table considerably.

Stephen Azzopardi’s boys, led by a superb Jorge Pereira, annihilated Tarxien Rainbows the past weekend and are now optimistic about their chances of defeating the Spartans this evening.

The latter have been somewhat unlucky at the start of this season. After losing the points on the table following a protest lodged by Balzan against the 3-1 result in favour of the Spartans, they went on to lose two matches and drew one to remain at the bottom of the table with just one point.

Last week, they were also unlucky not to have at least emerged with a point from their clash against Floriana, especially after their gallant fightback in the second half.

Now they hope to do better against the resurgent Qormi side which is full of enthusiasm after last week’s great win.

Today’s Football Programme

National Stadium: Bank of Valletta Premier League 6pm Floriana-Marsaxlok ; 8pm Hamrun S-Qormi

Centenary Stadium: Bank of Valletta First division 6pm Naxxar L-St Patrick.; 8pm Zejtun C-Vittoriosa S

Charles Abela Stadium: Bank of Valletta second division 8pm Kirkop U-Gharghur