Premier League leaders Sliema Wanderers seem to have a good opportunity to extend their lead at the top of the standings this weekend.
The Blues will be meeting Marsaxlokk tomorrow at the Hibs Ground, while today, their immediate followers, Valletta and Hibernians, face each other. In the other match, to be played also today, Birkirkara take on Floriana.
The programme also includes the Relegation Pool match between Pieta and Msida tomorrow.
It is undoubtedly a very good chance for the Blues to make another step towards a third consecutive title win.
In fact, the match between Valletta and Hibernians could see both teams missing precious points if they share the points in what is expected to be a balanced match.
The citizens are again playing confidently after a brief barren period, and last week’s 4-1 win over Marsaxlokk helped to bring back morale in the side, but the Paolites, despite their disappointing 1-1 draw against a 10-man Birkirkara last week, have a psychological edge for the fact that they managed to beat the citizens just a few weeks ago.
It is a match which neither side will want to lose, but one expects them to go all out for a win to remain as close as possible with leaders Sliema who are expected to bag another three points against Marsaxlokk tomorrow.
The Wanderers are considered favourites to maintain their positive run against a Marsaxlokk side which must be demoralised after the 4-1 setback against Valletta last week.
The Blues have more than enough guns to outpower Atanas Marinov’s side which still fails to deliver the goods despite the latest January arrivals.
In today’s match, the major note of interest is the fact that Birkirkara coach Stephen Azzopardi will be able to field a good number of players who were missing last Saturday and these include Mark Anthony Bonnici and Precious Monye (returning from suspension) as well as Michael Galea and Etienne Barbara, not to mention the possible return of Justin Haber between the posts. Of course, Saviour Darmanin is suspended.
Moreover, there is also the possibility of seeing Roderick Briffa among the squad, though not in the starting line-up yet.
For Floriana, it will definitely be a difficult task. Like the Stripes, they had an encouraging performance last weekend, but while they lost to Sliema 2-1, the Stripes managed to squeeze a point from their match against Hibs despite playing with 10 men for most of the game.
In the Pieta-Msida match, it is obvious that both sides will be looking forward to winning the three points at stake.
Both sides have been inactive for quite some time now, but it is imperative for them to start winning the points that matter as both Lija and St Patrick could offer some problems in the next few weeks.