The Bank of Valletta Premier League is now in its 23rd round – it started yesterday with the Tarxien R.-Birkirkara clash. It continues today (four matches) and tomorrow (another two).

 

After last weekend’s matches it is now more than evident that the title race has become a two-horse race with Balzan leading Valletta by a single point with four matches remaining to be played.

 

The relegation issue remains undecided and three clubs are still very much involved. And we also seem to have another interesting battle for third and fourth place in which Gzira, Birkirkara and Floriana are separated by just four points.

 

 

It is a very interesting situation which should guarantee an exciting finish to our Premier League this season.

 

Balzan and Valletta seem to have easy-looking matches this weekend with the leaders facing neighbours Mosta, occupying 10th place, and Valletta coming up against St Andrews.

 

The top two teams should overcome this 23rd hurdle with relative ease even if nothing has to be taken for granted, especially Valletta who face the Saints needing points badly to save their Premier status.

 

 

Balzan seem to have too many guns to beat Mosta and now they will also have top striker Bojan Kaljevic back in the side after he missed the crunch match against Birkirkara last week through suspension.

 

With no changes at the top expected, it is obvious that the teams involved in the relegation battle will be fighting tooth and nail to earn precious points.

 

As already stated, St Andrews could provide stiff opposition to Valletta, but even here, I cannot see the Citizens dropping any points.

 

 

Another team fighting to avoid relegation, Naxxar, will be meeting Floriana this afternoon and the Lions will be hoping to repeat their Trophy performance against the Greens when they had surprised their more quoted opponents and eliminated them.

 

But it will not be easy because the Greens, out of the Trophy, can only reach European football through a third or 4th placing in the League if things go in their favour via the FA Trophy results.

 

In this 3rd and 4th place issue, Gzira, who before yesterday’s match were leading Birkirkara by a point and Floriana by four, should be able to maintain their momentum as they face Senglea who, more or less, seem to be heading towards safety with every match they are playing.

 

 

The Yellow Reds are six points above the relegation zone and though not yet mathematically saved, they can play with more tranquillity than the three teams in the battle for survival.

 

Lija Athletic are on the verge of being relegated and that could become official tomorrow – or even today. In fact, if St Andrews win a point against Valletta, then Lija will be mathematically relegated. Their salvation is very difficult as it is not only their remaining matches that count, but also those of St Andrews and Naxxar.

 

In the other match this weekend, Sliema and Hamrun meet in a mid-table match which has little or no interest, at least in the present circumstances.