The Bank of Valletta Premier League resumes after the break for the Euro 2020 qualifiers with a third batch of matches in the third round.

Included in the programme are no fewer than four of what can be considered as interesting derbies with the top clash of the weekend being the Floriana-Valletta city and suburban derby clash to be played on Sunday.

The programme starts today at the Centenary Stadium with the Tarxien-Hamrun S. clash. Tomorrow, also at the Centenary Stadium, the two matches will be Sirens-Hibernians and Senglea Ath.-Mosta, while at the National Stadium, it will be Gzira-United-Sliema W. and Birkirkara-Balzan. The programme concludes on Sunday with the matches between Gudja United and Santa Lucia and the Valletta-Floriana clash, both at the National Stadium.

At present only Floriana, the league leaders, have maximum points after two matches. They are followed by four clubs on four points - Hibernians, Sirens, Santa Lucia and Senglea. Mosta, Valletta and Balzan have three points, while Gudja, Hamrun and Gzira have two. Birkirkara, Sliema and Tarxien are at the bottom still searching for their first point of the season.

 

INTERESTING DERBY

The Valletta-Floriana game is the top clash of the weekend.

Floriana are occupying the top placing after several years lurking behind their neighbours and arch rivals. And having started the season on a top note with important wins against Birkirkara and Balzan, they now seek the scalp of the champions, Valletta.

The Citizens started the season on a negative note against newcomers Santa Lucia who won the encounter 3-2, but then followed that up with an excellent 3-1 win against Sliema which showed that they were well on the road to recovery.

On their part, the Greens are playing with great confidence and will be expected to go all out to register a third consecutive victory which will certainly be a big boost in their efforts to remain at the top.

 

THE OTHER DERBIES

The Birkirkara-Balzan derby clash should also be keenly contested.

Despite two early setbacks against Floriana and Senglea, the Stripes must still be considered as challengers for the title as they have a squad replete with some excellent players.

But they had a third setback late last week with the resignation of coach John Buttigieg. He is now being replaced by Dutchman Andre Paus, who had been coach of Valletta FC in 2014.

Balzan had started the campaign with a good 2-1 win against Sliema, but then had to bow their heads to a more organised Floriana side.

Now they will be looking forward to beat their neighbouring Stripes so as to return on the winning track.

The Gudja-Santa Lucia clash is the first ever between the two teams in the Premier League - they are both debutants.

Both have had two satisfying results each in their opening clash with Santa Lucija even beating the champions in a five-goal thriller on the opening day. They then went on to hold the strong Gzira side to a goalless draw.

Gudja also sprang an opening day surprise when they held Hibernians to a 1-1 draw and then collected another precious point as they also drew with Hamrun Spartans 2-2.

The other derby is the Gzira-Sliema encounter to be played tomorrow.

Gzira and Sliema have yet to register their first win, and Gzira, like Birkirkara, still have to score a first goal. But they have two points after registering two goalless draws against Hibernians and Santa Lucia.

OTHER MATCHES

In the other matches it will be Tarxien-Hamrun, Sirens-Hibernians and Senglea-Mosta.

Tarxien have to show a lot of improvement if they are to entertain hopes of getting a positive result against the Spartans. The latter will be eager to register a first win after two draws in their first two matches.

The Sirens-Hibernians clash is a game between two of the four teams occupying the second place on 4 points, but the Paolites should be considered favourites, as they have much more experience than the Premier newcomers.

Mosta will be seeking to redeem themselves when facing Senglea after their 3-4 defeat at the hands of Sirens in their last game.

But the Yellow Reds will be eager to keep moving forward positively, having collected a good four points from their opening two games.

 

Full programme

Today

Centenary Stadium: Bank of Valletta Premier League 7pm Tarxien R.-Hamrun S.

Victor Tedesco Stadium: Bank of Valletta first division 6pm Pieta H.-Mqabba; 8.15pm Fgura U.-St Andrews.

Tomorrow

Centenary Stadium: Bank of Valletta Premier League 6pm Sirens-Hibernians; 8.15pm Senglea Ath.-Mosta.

National Stadium: Bank of Valletta Premier League 6pm Gzira U.-Sliema W.; 8pm Birkirkara-Balzan.

Victor Tedesco Stadium: Bank of Valletta first division 6pm Lija Ath.-Pembroke; 8.15pm Zejtun C.-Zebbug R.

Sunday

National Stadium: Bank of Valletta Premier League 6pm Gudja U.-Santa Lucia; 8pm Valletta-Floriana.

Centenary Stadium: Bank of Valletta first division 6pm Swieqi U.-Naxxar L.; 8.15pm Vittoriosa S.-Qrendi.

Monday

Centenary Stadium: Bank of Valletta first division 7pm St George's-Qormi.