The Bank of Valletta Premier League resumes this weekend following the break for the Euro 2016 qualifiers against Norway and Italy. Today is an important day for runaway league leaders Hibernians as they face close neighbours Tarxien Rainbows in a derby in

which the Paolites will be seeking to extend their impressive run of seven straight wins since the start of the campaign.

The Rainbows will, however, have other ideas. In fact, they in- tend to halt the Paolites' impressive run and continue climbing further up the standings, encouraged by their fine 3-1 win against second placed Birkirkara in the last round.

On their part, the league leaders were also very impressive in their last match, having demolished Naxxar Lions by five goals to one. As usual, such a derby will certainly attract a numerous crowd to the Ta' Qali national stadium and it should be a close and keenly contested match. But the main match on the programme this weekend is 'another derby' - the game between the current great rivals Valletta and Birkirkara.

The match is the last on the programme tomorrow, also at the national stadium at Ta' Qali. Both teams are expected to keep challenging the Paolites for the title, even if at the moment, Birkirkara are six points adrift of the leaders and Valletta are further down by another four points. It is evident that this match is crucial for both sides, especially if Hibernians emerge winners from this afternoon's game against Tarxien.

Birkirkara were dealt a big setback in their last encounter as they lost 3-1 to Tarxien. Since then, the Stripes have re-engaged last year's top striker Shola Shodiya who is also expected to make his return to the side in tomorrow's match. His presence in the side should add punch in the attack which has been inconsistent so far this season. Valletta certainly cannot afford to lose this encounter.

Although there are still a large number of matches to be played, the 10- point deficit from the leaders can- not be allowed to extend itself, especially if the Paolites win again this afternoon. Coach Gilbert Agius & Co certainly are aware of the difficult situation they are in and they will be expected to do their utmost to emerge winners.

The Stripes have a psychological advantage over the citizens having won the Super Cup at the expense of their rivals at the start of the new season. But they can- not forget that Valletta had won the league title last season at their expense in the final match of the league. The other matches should be quite balanced. They involve mostly the six teams at the bot- tom end of the standings as well as Balzan and Mosta who will be seeking to improve their already exalted position in the standings.

Balzan seem to have the best chance to do just that tomorrow as they face Pieta H., but they must not forget that the Hotspurs managed to beat none other than Valletta in their last encounter for their first win this season. Mosta face a more difficult time as they encounter the resurgent Sliema side who are now under the charge of their former coach Stephen Azzopardi. The latter is expected to make some changes to the side which struggled since the start of the season before former coach Greco was dismissed.

On the other hand, Mosta are occupying fourth place on 14 points and are aware that a victory will catapult them well above the rest of the teams and in a challenging position for a berth in European football next season, even if it is still early in the new season. But they will have to recoup after their surprise 4-0 defeat at the hands of Qormi in their pre- vious match. Another expected close tie is that between Qormi and Floriana.

The Yellow Blacks are encouraged after their fine defeat of Mosta and will certainly aim to keep that form against Floriana who could only draw 1-1 against Balzan, thus remaining among the bottom six on just seven points from as many encounters. The other match on the card is that being played today between the bottom two clubs, Naxxar and Zebbug Rangers. They will be seeking their first win of the season - they are the only clubs without a win in the Premier League so far.