This weekend presents itself as a good chance for Hibernians to take the sole leadership of the Premier League. Tomorrow, they will be playing against bottom-placed Mosta – their match in hand over Sliema.

The two sides have 31 points, but Hibernians have played a match less. The same applies to third placed Birkirkara who, today, face lowly Pieta Hotspurs and have a good chance of joining Sliema in second place if Hibernians win their match.

The weekend also offers some interesting matches where teams will be fighting for precious points to win a place in the Championship Pool.

Today, Hamrun Spartans face Floriana before the Pieta-B’Kara clash, while tomorrow, in the opening match on the programme, Marsaxlokk take on Msida St Joseph.

The Paolites, playing at their own ground at Corradino should start as firm favourites to beat bottom placed Mosta who have collected just eight points from the 13 matches they have played.

The Paolites have been in unconvincing form of late, but they still should be good enough to overcome Mosta’s expected resistance.

The latter have shown some improvement in their recent matches, but it is obvious they will be facing another uphill task, although they gave a good run for their money to Sliema.

Birkirkara seemed to have forgotten the 2-0 defeat against Marsaxlokk last Tuesday when they turned the tables on Sliema, defeating the champions 2-1 to keep themselves firmly in contention.

The Stripes will not have an easy encounter against the normally stubborn Pieta, but the Hotspurs have been very unimpressive in their recent encounters and consecutive defeats have seen them slipping down the standings to last from bottom place.

Despite everything, Georgy Deanov’s boys can still avoid the Relegation Pool, but only if they raise their performance well above the recent mediocre.

The most important match is that being played first today when Hamrun Spartans face Floriana – a match both teams would like to win.

At present, Hamrun are in seventh place on 13 points and they are followed by the Greens in eighth place on 11 points. A victory for the Spartans will see them overtaking Valletta in sixth place, while a victory for the Greens will see them moving above the Spartans and joining Valletta on the 14-point mart in a joint sixth place.

There is no doubt both sides will be eager to register what should be an important win in their quest to avoid the Relegation Pool.

In the final match on the programme – tomorrow – the high-flying Marsaxlokk face an Msida side which is also close to securing a first-ever berth in the Championship Pool.

The Saints need just a few more points to reach their objective, but will have to be alert as the clubs behind them are doing their utmost to topple them in the final four matches.

On the other hand, Marsaxlokk are now scenting more success in their efforts to get closer to the leaders to be able to offer a strong challenge for the title when the second phase arrives in due course.

At present, they have reduced the gap to seven points from the leadership, but after their recent run of successes, it is evident that Zazu Farrugia’s boys are riding the crest of the waves and their enthusiasm knows no bounds.

Another victory tomorrow will certainly put the pressure on the three clubs above them.