The Premier League takes another interesting turn this weekend with the third batch of matches.

Today at the national stadium, sixth placed Floriana take on second placed Valletta and this will be followed immediately by the interesting Sliema-Birkirkara clash.

Tomorrow, at the Hibs Ground, Hibernians will be facing Marsaxlokk while in the Relegation Pool match preceding it, St Patrick will be facing Pieta Hotspurs.

At present in the Championship Pool, Sliema enjoy a three-point lead over Valletta, seven over third placed Birkirkara and eight over Hibs when only eight matches remain to be played. In the Relegation Pool, Pieta lead with 11 points, followed by Msida on nine, Lija on seven and St Patrick on five.

When taking a glance at these standings, it is obvious that this weekend’s most important clash is that being played at 4pm at Ta’ Qali today, between Sliema and Birkirkara.

It is important for both sides, especially for the Stripes. In fact, being adrift by seven points, they need a win – a draw will not be enough.

Stephen Azzopardi and his boys are well aware of the huge task ahead of them if they are to retain their hopes of landing the title. They cannot afford to lose any more points now.

But it is not going to be easy as they will be facing the most consistent team in the competition. In fact, Sliema have been the most effective of them all, winning matches even when they played their worst football.

Sliema today will be seriously handicapped with the absence of the suspended Joe Brincat and the injured Orosco Oretan, but their mentors, Edward Aquilina and Hugh Caruana should still be able to present a strong formation for the Stripes’ challenge.

In the early match today, Valletta and Floriana face each other in the city and suburban derby.

The Greens have not beaten Valletta for quite a long time in the league and JJ Aquilina’s boys will be looking forward to post another win and keep the pressure on the Blues in the race for the title.

Valletta are boosted by last weekend’s impressive 3-0 win over Hibernians in which Gilbert Agius showed all his skills, including one of the best goals seen this season at Ta’ Qali.

If Valletta manage to reproduce that same form against the hapless and unlucky Greens, then they should not have any difficulty in registering another win.

The Greens do not lack enthusiasm and commitment. What they lack is finishing up front as there seems to be no one capable enough to turn the chances they create into goals.

Tomorrow, Hibernians have the chance to return to victory after their debacle against Valletta as they face fifth placed Marsaxlokk.

It is also a match which will also see Marsaxlokk fighting to win their first points in the Championship Pool to get closer to Hibernians themselves to be able to offer a strong challenge, at least for the fourth place, which might mean a place in the Intertoto Cup competition.

The southern seasiders are expected to have back among their ranks Andre Schembri who missed the match against Sliema, while Hibs coach Robert Gatt might be expected to ring the changes after their recent disappointing performances – they won just one point from their opening two matches and have dropped from second to fourth in the standings.

In the Relegation Pool, St Patrick are aware that this is probably a final chance to keep their hopes of avoiding the Big Drop alive.

A victory against Pieta will open the issue wide, but they will have to play much better than they did in their 0-1 defeat at the hands of Lija Athletic to offer Pieta a serious challenge.

The Hotspurs are also aware that the Saints will be clamouring for a win, but they will also be happy with a draw which will keep them six points ahead of their rivals in the standings.