The Bank of Valletta Premier League takes a very interesting turn tomorrow with the top-of-the-table clash between current leaders Birkirkara and Sliema Wanderers bringing the first round of the second phase to an end.

It is undoubtedly the most important clash of the weekend though the other three matches have their own importance as well.

Today, also from the Championship Pool, Hibs will be facing Marsaxlokk while Valletta take on Msida. Tomorrow, prior to the Birkirkara-Sliema clash, there is also the very important Mosta-Floriana Relegation Pool clash.

But pride of place obviously goes to the Birkirkara-Sliema clash where both sides seem to be keen to go out and get the three points at stake.

Sliema, two points adrift of the leaders, are well aware that they cannot afford defeat against the Stripes as that would open a possibly unassailable lead of five points with just five matches to go. A draw will also keep the Stripes ahead by two points.

And that confirms that the Blues will be happy with nothing less than a victory tomorrow. With Bogdanovic back in the side following the club’s suspension and with Murphy Akanji, between the posts, inspiring confidence in the defence, the side has taken a new lease of life and their followers are now expecting the team to bag these three important points as they seek to win a fourth consecutive championship win. But it will not be an easy task.

In fact, Birkirkara must also be well aware of the situation and they might even be happy with the sharing of the spoils, even if the three points will be their principal target tomorrow.

The Stripes are expected to have their full complement tomorrow as even Matthew Calascione will be back from suspension, having missed the match against Hibernians.

But Azzopardi knows that his defence will have to be at its very best if they are to survive against what I consider lethal strikers like Ivan Woods, Danilo Doncic and Daniel Bogdanovic, not to mention Stefan Giglio as well.

In today’s first match, Valletta will be facing Msida as the citizens, a transformed side since coach Paul Zammit took over the team’s reins, look forward to a victory which might push them closer to the fourth or even the third place, depending on the Hibs-Marsaxlokk match result later in the afternoon.

Valletta are playing confidently, and although with Ian Zammit, out through suspension, they should be good enough to beat Msida, the bottom-placed club.

Msida SJ are coming from a heavy 4-1 defeat at the hands of Sliema last weekend and are still seeking their first win in the championship pool.

But Todor Raykov’s side will have to do without the suspended striker Ibrahim Babatunde, though they will have Josef Mifsud and Mark Pullicino back in the side following their suspension.

Hibernians will be trying to bring to an end a miserable run since the start of the second phase of the championship – they have won just one point in four matches – which also saw them running out of contention for the title, dropping to fourth place.

The return from suspension of Nigerian midfielder Essien Mbong will boost the Paolites’ sagging morale and beating their southern neighbours will surely go down well with their supporters, even if their coach, Robert Gatt, is suspended and will only be watching his boys from the stands.

Marsaxlokk are also passing through a dismal run after having suffered two consecutive defeats. The southern seasiders will be looking forward to return to winning form today to take a good lead over the Paolites into the second round, as they now aim for the third place or perhaps the second, to get back in European football next season.

In tomorrow’s Relegation Pool match, Floriana will be seeking to return to winning form after their shock 2-1 defeat at the hands of Pieta last week which matured in the last 10 minutes.

The Greens were sent reeling and are now facing a crisis have also seen the resignation of acting president T. Zahra and his committee during the week. It is rumoured that an ad hoc committee is presently running the club which desperately needs a win to bring back confidence in a side which can slip down further in the standings.

Mosta, in fact, are brimming with confidence following their two wins which have seen them coming back to challenge all the other rivals in the Relegation Pool.

Charles Agius has worked miracles with the side and they are now plotting Floriana’s downfall to make it three in a row and continue their path towards possible salvation.