The Valletta-Floriana top clash of the weekend this afternoon promises to be a more interesting clash than usual.

In fact, there will not only be the numerous fans of both sides at the Ta’ Qali national Stadium watching the match. There will also be UEFA president Michel Platini in attendance together with the MFA’s top brass.

It is a match which could be an advertisement for local football.

But it is evident that this will only come about through a general effort from both sets of players. One thing is certain. Neither side wants to lose any points from this encounter, for different reasons.

Valletta are the league leaders and are well aware that their immediate rivals Hibernians could be back haunting them by tomorrow. If the citizens were to lose against their rivals today and Hibs win tomorrow against Balzan, then we will be back to square one at the top as both Valletta and Hibs will again be joint leaders.

Despite Platini’s presence, one cannot expect either side to throw caution to the wind and try to play entertaining football at the expense, perhaps, of dropping some important points.

In the match that follows this afternoon, Sliema W. take on the in-form Birkirkara side with the Blues being six points adrift in the standings.

If the Wanderers wish to maintain their challenge for the third place, or better an Europa League place, then they will have to be at their very best and try and bridge the gap with the Stripes by beating them and taking the three points.

It is evident that the Blues are under pressure but with some players expected to return to the field of play after injury today, then things might change to the better.

The Stripes have been passing through a wonderful patch which has seen them climbing up the table to third place.

Paul Zammit’s outfit is playing with great confidence and there seems to be a new lease of life in this side after the disappointments it encountered during the first phase. The more noticeable improvements are in defence and in attack.

Victory once again this afternoon will put them in a very strong position in the battle for the third place – and they will have the advantage of knowing the result of the previous match which involves Floriana, currently one point behind them in the standings.

Tomorrow, Hibernians must be considered favourites to beat bottom placed Championship Pool side Balzan Youths.

The Paolites received a major setback last week when they lost controversially to Birkirkara, but now have the chance to get back on the winning track.

They will certainly be hoping that Floriana will stop the citizens this afternoon, but they cannot rely on others’ results. They also have to do their part even if it will not be easy against the Youths who can offer stubborn resistance on their day.

In the Relegation Pool, Mosta have the chance to return to victory as they face Marsaxlokk tomorrow.

Their recent negative run saw them dropping down to 5th place on 13 points, two behind Tarxien.

Steve D’Amato’s side must return quickly to form if they are to avoid trouble in their forthcoming matches.

For Marsaxlokk, it is certainly a final chance to get closer to the other relegation candidates. If they lose again tomorrow, then they will have few hopes of saving their bacon.

In tomorrow’s first match at the Victor Tedesco Stadium, Hamrun will be trying to maintain their positive run as they meet third from bottom Tarxien Rainbows.

The Spartans enjoy a two-point lead over the Rainbows in the standings, but the relegation struggle is so close that no one dares predict what will be happening every weekend.

In all probability it will go down to the wire with the final decisions on the last weekend of the championship.

As can be seen from the standings, apart from bottom placed Marsaxlokk on nine points, the five other teams are only separated by five points. And there are still seven matches to go.

Tomorrow the Relegation Pool programme continues with the final match between leaders Qormi and Mqabba.

After their defeat at the hands of Hamrun, Qormi cannot drop more points if they are to keep their safe position at the top of the standings.

They must be well aware that another defeat will possibly put the team under a lot of pressure with regard to their forthcoming matches.

As for Mqabba, their 3-0 win over Marsaxlokk the past weekend was perhaps a signal that they were finally back on track. They are now only two points behind Qormi and could go top if they win and Hamrun also suffer defeat.