We are still in the second week of the Premier League – a very early stage – but champions Valletta are already under a lot of pressure after having missed the bus in the opening match against Mosta last week.

Then, they were stunned as Mosta ran out winners by a solitary goal. But that was the fourth defeat in succession for the citizens who never imagined they would have such a disappointing start to the season – two Champions League defeats against Qarabag of Azerbaijan, a Super Cup match defeat against Birkirkara and the League defeat against Mosta.

Today, Valletta will be facing Tarxien Rainbows and they certainly have to be at their best to clinch all the three points against the Rainbows in the knowledge that front runners Birkirkara and Hibernians seem to have a good chance of winning their clashes against Zebbug Rangers and Qormi respectively.

The programme today includes the matches Zebbug R.-Birkirkara and Sliema W.-Floriana at the National Stadium at Ta’ Qali and the two other matches at the Victor Tedesco Stadium: Naxxar L.-Balzan and Valletta-Tarxien R. Tomorrow, at the National Stadium, Ta’ Qali it will be Pieta H.-Mosta and Hibernians-Qormi.

It looks like being a very interesting programme this weekend with all the teams trying to strengthen or improve on their positions after the first batch of matches played last weekend.

While Birkirkara and Hibernians showed superiority over Pieta and Floriana respectively and perhaps were the most impressive, one still has to see whether Balzan, Qormi and Mosta will be able to maintain their winning start.

Sliema were surprisingly held to a 1-1 draw by Tarxien Rainbows while for Valletta, Naxxar L., Floriana, Pieta and Zebbug, they will all be seeking their first point (or win) in this campaign.

As already said, both Hibernians and Birkirkara should prove to be superior to Qormi and Zebbug Rangers respectively. I expect them to win their matches once again this weekend.

In the match between Birkirkara and Zebbug, I expect the Rangers coach Jesmond Zammit to include Scottish newcomer Craig Beattie alongside Britto to give the side more striking power.

Beattie, 30, a former Celtic player who also played for West Bromwich, Swansea, St Johnstone, Barnet and Dundee, as well as a Scotland international player (seven caps), signed for one year with the Rangers.

Also interesting today will be the clash between ‘Old Firm’ rivals Sliema and Floriana.

Sliema had the better start despite being surprisingly held to a 1-1 draw by Tarxien, but Floriana disappointed their followers after being hammered 3-0 by Hibernians.

Both sides now hope to do better today, especially Floriana who continued strengthening their squad with the arrival of two new players in the form of Brazilian central defender Douglas Felipe Moreira Cobo and Italian goalkeeper Valerio Senatore.

As already said, Valletta will be eyeing victory against Tarxien Rainbows this evening, but for new coach Gilbert Agius, it will not be an easy task as it is obvious that Tarxien will not be throwing in the towel so easily.

This was clearly seen in their match against Sliema where one could admire their character, fighting back from being a goal in arrears to draw level, even if it was near the end of the match.

Also interesting will be the central derby between Balzan and Naxxar.

Balzan had a very impressive start as they beat newcomers Zebbug 4-2 in a highly entertaining match while Naxxar had to bow down to a superior Qormi side last week.

Tomorrow, apart from the Hibernians-Qormi match where Hibs must be considered as favourites though I expect Qormi to provide them with a strong challenge, there is also the clash between Pieta and Mosta.

Newcomers Pieta made Birkirkara struggle despite being dominated for most of the time and having to play with 10 men for most of the second half.

Mosta, on the other hand, stunned champions Valletta on the opening day, securing a 1-0 win which gave them three very important points and a very big boost for their forthcoming fixtures. That was, perhaps, the most impressive result in the first batch of matches last weekend.