Two Premier League matches are being played this evening at the national stadium, Ta’ Qali.

The first match – from the Relegation Pool – sees the two bottom clubs, St Patrick and Lija, facing each other in what could be their final chance to keep hoping of eventually avoiding relegation next season.

At present, St Patrick are six points behind Pieta with three matches remaining, while Lija are a further point behind.

With Msida already sure of retaining their place among the elite next season, it will be two of these three teams that will drop to next year’s first division.

Lija will definitely be relegated if St Patrick win today’s clash and then we could have a battle royale between the Saints and the Hotspurs to avoid relegation with the clash between the two clubs probably determining the outcome.

But if Lija win, they will reopen their slight hopes though they would still have a mountain to climb to reach Pieta who would then need just one point to make sure of survival.

In the other match, Hibernians will be facing Marsaxlokk in a match the Paolites are forced to win to move to the second spot, one point ahead of Valletta and two over Birkirkara, though the latter two clubs will have Saturday’s match in hand.

The Paolites should be considered firm favourites to bag the three points having disposed of Valletta last Sunday to remain firmly in contention for that second spot which could save their season and land them in the UEFA Cup.

The Paolites should have Andrew Cohen back in their line-up after he missed the match against Valletta through suspension.