League leaders Msida St Joseph face another severe test tomorrow when they face Valletta in their fourth encounter.

Msida are the only team with maximum points so far after three rounds and they will be doing their utmost to maintain their perfect start to the new season.

In other matches, Sliema will be facing Marsa in today’s first match which will be followed by the highly interesting Marsaxlokk-Floriana encounter.

Tomorrow, before the Msida-Valletta game, there is the bottom of the table clash between St George’s and Pieta Hotspurs.

Once again, it should be another interesting weekend for the followers of the local game. But pride of place goes to tomorrow’s match in which Msida will be eager to maintain their positive run and with Valletta also eager to bounce back into contention after their setback against Marsaxlokk.

But the two sides will be handicapped as they have some players suspended.

On one hand, Msida have top striker Daniel Nwoke ruled out while Valletta were the hardest hit after having central defender Branko Nisevic and free-scoring Argentine Sebastian Monesterolo banned in midweek.

It is a telling blow for Valletta who, however, might have Massimo Grima back in the heart of the defence, having been included among the substitutes in the match against Marsaxlokk.

The Marsaxlokk-Floriana encounter should also be worth watching. These two teams are in form and have had a satisfying start to the season.

Marsaxlokk bounced back in style with two consecutive wins after their opening day’s defeat against Birkirkara, while Floriana are still unbeaten after three matches, having beaten Hibernians and then drew with Valletta and Sliema.

Marsaxlokk confirmed they will be among the title challengers this season, and with Brian Talbot at the helm, they should be able to do much better than the past three seasons.

On their part, Floriana’s youngsters have obviously come of age and are now reproducing the form which is enabling their followers to dream of better things to come.

Sliema Wanderers seem to have a good opportunity to get back to winning form after a defeat and a draw as they face newly-promoted Marsa in today’s opening match.

The Blues have, so far, failed to make the desired impact on this year’s competition, but against Floriana last week, they showed signs of improvement and this is certainly a good omen for the side which needs a win to remain within striking distance of the leadership.

The Red Blues have had a disappointing start, collecting only one point from three matches, but they have been quite unlucky in the two defeats suffered.

They are obviously acquiring experience with every match they play, but they cannot make mistakes as those committed in the match against Hibernians if they are to avoid a third defeat.

The final match – tomorrow’s first – is the clash between the two bottom sides, St George’s and Pieta Hotspurs.

St George’s, like Marsa, have only one point from three matches, while Pieta have the worst record – no points, no goals scored and 13 suffered after just three matches.

The two sides have to show considerable improvement if they are to move up the standings as quickly as possible.