All eyes this weekend will be on tomorrow’s clash between champions and current league leaders Valletta FC and Hibernians FC.

Not that it will determine the outcome of the championship – far from it. But because of the fact that Valletta are after a target – a new unbeaten record – while Hibernians will be all out to beat Valletta and halt their magnificent 37-league match unbeaten run, which they themselves had also registered in the early 1980s.

Also on the programme is the interesting Birkirkara-Sliema clash to be played today preceded by a Mosta-Tarxien clash. Tomorrow, in the first match, Balzan Y. face Mqabba before the Valletta-Hibs clash.

The Citizens will certainly start as favourites if one had to consider the talent in both squads. But in such clashes, and with Hibernians lurking just behind the citizens in the standings, I believe anything can happen.

Hibernians must be feeling pretty confident this season after such a magnificent start – 10 points from their opening four matches. What a difference from last season when their performances were well below par, so much so that they had to play in the Relegation Pool in the second phase of the competition.

Mark Miller has managed to revive his team of experienced players and talented youngsters and they now seem to be ready to face the citizens with one aim in mind – that of halting their unbeaten run.

On their part, the citizens are also playing with great confidence once again – they are the only side with maximum points after four matches. They are well aware that they are the great favourites to lift the title once again this season and Jesmond Zerafa & Co will certainly be aiming to win the match, not only to establish a new record, but also to extend their lead at the top of the current standings.

It is also the first real test for the citizens after having played against Tarxien, Hamrun, Qormi and Mosta.

The Birkirkara-Sliema clash should also be worth watching. The two sides are considered as title challengers – so far. But if they continue losing points as they did last weekend through unexpected draws, then they will fall back and it will become very difficult for them to get back in contention.

Birkirkara and Sliema seem to have the same problem – a somewhat poor defence. Otherwise, in midfield and up front, they seem to be well served. It is at the back where they have to show progress if they are to move ahead this season.

The other two matches on the programme should also be keenly contested.

Today’s Tarxien-Mosta clash is between bottom clubs Mosta and Tarxien – both have just one point from their opening four matches. They are both looking forward to register their first win of the season having drawn one match and lost the three others.

Tomorrow, Balzan Youths and Mqabba will be searching for their second win.

The Youths will have to find a way of stopping the surprising Mqabba side which, in its last two matches, won its four points from a win against Marsaxlokk and a draw against Birkirkara.