The Premier League gets into top gear the coming week as the first batch of matches in the second phase are played.

The points have now been deducted by half and as the table clearly shows, Sliema now have only a three-point lead over Hibernians and Valletta to show for all their first phase efforts which had given them a six-point lead.

But this format, as I have already said many times before, though procuring more interest in our league’s most crucial moment, is unfair with the top clubs and gives a second chance to those lurking behind.

In fact, even fourth-placed Birkirkara, though they continued dropping important points at the weekend, cannot yet be counted out although they will be starting the second phase five points behind the leaders.

Of course, there are still 10 matches to be played by every club and it is evident that anything can happen till the end of the campaign.

If anything, and with so many direct clashes still pending, we are assured of some interesting battles especially in the initial stages of the second phase. In fact, apart from the title chase, there is also a UEFA Cup (second place) at stake and this could involve at least five, if not the six teams.

Taking a look back at the weekend clashes, it is obvious that only Valletta, of the top teams, produced a decent performance on the eve of the start of the second phase.

The citizens easily beat Pieta by four goals to one, while Sliema struggled to a 1-0 win over their ‘Old Firm’ rivals Floriana as did Hibernians to beat bottom placed Lija Athletic. Birkirkara also struggled to get just a point from their clash against lowly St Patrick.

All this points to one thing, in my opinion: that Sliema remain my firm favourites for the title. Of course I have my own reasons.

The Blues have rarely been impressive this season, but they a most solid block – strong in all departments – and I expect them to maintain their lead, if not increasing it as they keep on winning their most important clashes. They have lost only two of their 18 matches – quite surprisingly against Lija Athletic and against Valletta – but have shown more consistency than all the remaining challengers.

All this besides the fact that the Wanderers have, without any doubt, the best elements in local football among their ranks.

Valletta and Hibernians will both start the second phase three points behind the Blues, but although it is not too big a gap, it could prove to be too much if they show the same inconsistency as they did in recent matches.

The Paolites were far from their best form on Sunday as they struggled to beat bottom-placed Pieta Hotspurs. Such form does not augur well for their forthcoming difficult direct clashes.

It is one thing playing against Lija and another playing against teams all hungry for points and where there is much more at stake.

Valletta have been the surprise of the season. No one, including yours truly, ever imagined the citizens to be a championship contender, especially after last season’s disastrous affair where they had to play in the Relegation Pool.

This time round, with a few acquisitions and thanks to their all-round fighting spirit, the citizens are back in contention, though I feel they will not be able to challenge Sliema till the very end.

The return of Chris Oretan, if the Nigerian striker manages to settle down well in the City camp for the second time, could prove to be beneficial to Valletta.

Birkirkara are in a more difficult position having to start the second phase five points adrift of Sliema.

The Stripes are well aware that they cannot afford to lose any more points if they are to entertain hopes of winning the title. And at the same time, they will be hoping that those above them will all lose points when they play against each other.

Something of a tall order to speak about winning the title. Especially after having lost another two points from their weekend clash against St Patrick. It was good for them to have survived a full scare. In fact, they had to play for a long time in 10 men after Mark Anthony Bonnici was shown the red card.

But they will certainly have to play much better if they are to close the gap, at least by the end of the first round of the second phase.

Marsaxlokk and Floriana will be starting the second phase three and four points adrift of fourth-placed Birkirkara and it is evident that their future hopes lie basically on their performances this weekend where both of them need a victory to boost their chances of moving into contention, at least for that UEFA Cup slot, which is guaranteed by a second placing.

The two teams cannot certainly be discarded. They both have a number of valid elements among their ranks and their recent arrivals could lift them to higher levels as they intend giving all their rivals a good run for their money.

In the Relegation Pool, it had seemed a foregone conclusion, until a few weeks ago, that St Patrick and Lija would be firm candidates for the Drop this season.

But in the last few matches, the resurgent St Patrick have given themselves a good lift and the two points which Msida had deducted by the MFA as well as two victories and two draws have enabled them not just to hand the bottom place to Lija Athletic, but also to start believing that they could also avoid the Drop.

In fact, the Saints from Zabbar will start the Relegation Pool just three points behind Msida and five behind leaders Pieta, who will start on 10. Lija will have four points, but even here, that is in the Relegation Pool, everything is still to be played for.

In fact, I think both Pieta and Msida will have to be on full alert if they wish to remain among the elite.

Best player

Mark Galea (Valletta)

The city striker played one of his best matches this season after rejoining the club from Floriana last summer.

Galea also had a spectacular goal included in his repertoire which saw him being a continuous menace to the Pieta defence, even if the latter team seemed to have been de-motivated.

It is evident that the former Floriana striker is enjoying a new lease of life at Valletta. The arrival of Oretan could help him improve further as he should be afforded more space now.

Best coach

JJ Aquilina (Valletta)

Some might say that Aquilina was lucky that the team was facing lowly Pieta Hotspurs in their last match of the first phase.

Of course, a victory was on the card, but it was evident that the citizens made it look easy because they managed to get back on their feet after their recent two defeats against Birkirkara and Hibernians.

Aquilina managed to instill confidence and bring back pride into the city team on the eve of the start of the second phase. This victory has lifted the morale back in Aquilina’s players and that should help the team to start the road to the title confidently.

The full programme

Championship Pool

Saturday 19 February: Sliema-Floriana; Birkirkara-Hibernians

Sunday 20 February: Valletta-Marsaxlokk.

Saturday 26 February: Marsaxlokk-Sliema; Hibernians-Valletta.

Sunday 27 February: Birkirkara-Floriana.

Saturday 5 March: Marsaxlokk-Hibernians; Sliema-Birkirkara.

Sunday 6 March: Floriana-Valletta.

Saturday 12 March: Hibernians-Floriana; Valetta-Sliema.

Sunday 13 March: Birkirkara-Marsaxlokk.

Saturday 19 March: Valletta-Birkirkara; Sliema-Hibernians.

Sunday 20 March: Marsaxlokk-Floriana.

Saturday 9 April: Marsaxlokk-Valletta; Floriana-Sliema.

Sunday 10 April: Hibernians-Birkirkara.

Saturday 16 April: Marsaxlokk-Sliema.

Sunday 17 April: Floriana-Birkirkara; Valletta-Hibernians.

Saturday 23 April: Hibernians-Marsaxlokk.

Sunday 24 April: Valletta-Floriana; Birkirkara-Sliema.

Friday 29 April: Marsaxlokk-Birkirkara.

Saturday 30 April: Floriana-Hibernians.

Monday 2 May: Sliema-Valletta.

Friday 6 May: Floriana-Marsaxlokk.

Saturday 7 May: Birkirkara-Valletta.

Sunday 8 May: Hibernians-Sliema.

Relegation Pool

Sunday 20 February: Lija A.-St Patrick.

Sunday 27 February: Pieta H.-Msida SJ.

Sunday 5 March: St Patrick-Pieta H.

Sunday 12 March: Msida SJ-Lija.

Sunday 19 March: Pieta H.-Lija A.

Sunday 10 April: Msida SJ-St Patrick.

Saturday 16 April: Msida SJ-Pieta.

Saturday 23 April: St Patrick-Lija A.

Friday 29 April: Msida SJ-Lija A.

Saturday 30 April: Pieta-St Patrick.

Friday 6 May: Lija A.-Pieta H.

Saturday 7 May: St Patrick-Msida SJ.