The Bank of Valletta Premier League continues this weekend with a four-day programme extending from this evening to next Monday.
Several important matches, especially between teams fighting against relegation, are to be played between this evening and Sunday. On Monday, there will be two more important matches which involve teams fighting for the title or Europa League placings. These last two matches will be previewed next Monday.
The seven matches this weekend will bring the first round to an end.
The programme starts today with the Gzira-St Andrews clash. Tomorrow there will be Mosta-Qormi and Pieta-Sliema, while on Sunday it is Senglea-Birkirkara and Floriana-Tarxien.
This evening, Gzira will be doing their utmost to obtain the three points to go back temporarily to the top of the standings, ahead of next Monday's clashes involving Hibernians and Valletta.
But the Maroons will have to forget everything about their last match when it was veteran Andrew Cohen who saved their blushes as he scored a late equaliser against Mosta in a thrilling 3-3 draw.
St Andrews can prove to be tough opponents for any team on their day and the fact that they are still not practically safe makes it obvious that they will be seeking to gain a point or more to consolidate their mid-table position.
It will certainly be a tight match tomorrow between Mosta and Qormi. After 12 matches, Mosta are third from bottom on 8 points, while Qormi are a further 4 points behind.
Pieta will also be doing their utmost to keep their present momentum alive as they face 5th placed Sliema.
Pieta are on 10 points, just above Mosta and so need the points badly to improve their lowly position.
But the same applies for Sliema who need the points not only to recover lost ground after their defeat last week to Balzan, but also to continue dreaming of playing in European football next season via a 3rd or possible 4th place in the league.
The two yellow-reds, Birkirkara and Senglea meet in the first match tomorrow and here, the Stripes from Birkirkara must be considered favourites to gain another three points, although one must admit that Senglea have shown improvement in their recent matches.
In the other match tomorrow, the beleaguered Floriana side take on Tarxien Rainbows.
The Greens need to win all the three points to start rebuilding much needed confidence, but they will be facing a Tarxien side, hurt severely by the 7-0 defeat at the hands of a merciless Valletta side last weekend.