A very interesting long weekend sets off this evening at Ta’ Qali national stadium. All the clubs in the Championship Pool and the Relegation Pool will be in action between today and next Monday.

The programme starts this evening with the match between Msida St Joseph and Lija Athletic from the Relegation Pool. In the match immediately afterwards, Birkirkara will come up against Marsaxlokk.

Tomorrow, in the first match, Pieta and St Patrick meet in what should be a most important clash in the Relegation Pool, while Hibernians face Floriana in the match that follows.

The programme comes to an end on Monday with the top clash between Sliema and Valletta.

In today’s matches, the opener between Msida and Lija is of no particular importance to both teams as their fate is already sealed. Msida will again be in the Premier League next season, while Lija became the first team to be relegated last week.

But it could prove to be a good training session for Msida who are still in the FA Trophy.

In the other match, Birkirkara will be going all out for victory against Marsaxlokk to move temporarily into second place though Hibs and Valletta would have a match in hand.

After their impressive 3-1 win over Sliema last Saturday, the Stripes should be considered firm favourites to win these three points and maintain their interest, even in the title issue, especially depending on next Monday’s result of the match between Sliema and Valletta.

Tomorrow, the programme starts with the Pieta-St Patrick clash which could determine the second team joining Lija into next year’s first division.

At present, Pieta are on 14 points, three points ahead of the Saints who are on 11. A victory for the Saints would put both teams on 14 points with just one match remaining to be played for the end of the campaign.

In the second match, Hibernians will also be looking to get the three points at stake against Floriana to maintain their interest in the second placing in the league.

For the Paolites – and the citizens – that placing would mean a UEFA Cup place next season and it is their only remaining hope after having been booted unceremoniously out of the FA Trophy already.

Floriana will have to play this match without goalkeeper Reuben Gauci who was suspended one match on Wednesday.