The first round of the first phase will come to an end this weekend with the final match of the 11th round being played between Friday and Sunday.

Friday, at the Victor Tedesco Stadium in Hamrun, Rabat Ajax face Balzan in the opening match, while in the match that follows, league leaders Valletta will be facing Sliema Wanderers.

The most important match is certainly that between Valletta and Sliema. At present, after 10 matches, Valletta lead the standings on 24 points. They are followed by Birkirkara on 20, Sliema, Mosta and Hibernians on 19, Tarxien on 17, Hamrun 13, Balzan 12, Floriana nine, Qormi 8, Melita 4 and Rabat three.

It is evident that both Valletta and Sliema will be seeking a victory this evening for different reasons.

The citizens want to return on the winning track following their two highly unexpected  draws against lowly Rabat Ajax and Balzan.

In those two matches, the champions were very unimpressive and coach Mark Miller must have had a tough task to the morale of his players for today’s match against Sliema.

The Blues, in fact, are one of the most in form teams at present. In the last four matches, they collected no fewer than nine points from three wins and that is enough to confirm that they will prove to be a serious threat to City’s aspirations.

Moreover, Sliema are also aware that a victory will put them just two points behind Valletta in the standings at the end of the first round.

In the other match, Balzan and Rabat will also be in search of a victory as they try to improve their placing.

The Ajax will be trying hard to obtain their first victory of the season – they have collected only three points from three draws so far. But in their recent matches, they have shown a lot of improvement.

On the other hand, Balzan are also on a five-game positive run, having won three of their last five matches and drawing the other two.

They have now moved to eighth place on 12 points, but they are aware that they have to win the three points this evening to keep within striking distance of the other teams challenging for a Top Six berth.