The Bank of Valletta Premier League resumes after a long four-week break this weekend with a big bang.

Four matches are being played between today and tomorrow. Today’s programme is being played at the Ta’ Qali National Stadium while tomorrow’s programme is scheduled for the Hibernians Ground.

Today’s programme is the more attractive with second placed Msida facing sixth placed Sliema in the opener and Valletta meeting rivals Birkirkara in the other.

Tomorrow in the first match, league leaders Marsaxlokk take on lowly Marsa while in the final match on the card, St George’s will be facing third placed Hibernians.

After such a long break, one expects all teams to be eager to re-start winning the points that matter but it is obvious that it will take some time for the players to get back to the form they were showing before the break.

However, it is still obvious that the main interest revolves around the top of the standings where seven teams are involved - so far - in the battle for the battle to be in the Top Six and therefore a place in the Championship Pool.

Marsaxlokk seem to have a good chance of building on their two point lead over Msida this weekend as they seem to have the easiest match of them all.

The southern seasiders have registered seven victories in a row after their opening match defeat against Birkirkara. They have been very impressive, but the injury to Andre Schembri and a back problem for Cleaven Frendo were setbacks for manager Brian Talbot & Co.

However, this is not expected to dampen the team’s spirits and they are still considered overwhelming favourites to bag the three points.

Marsa seem to be already resigned to their fate and they know that the points have to be collected against teams more or less of the same calibre, even if points won against the top clubs may be considered as a bonus.

Msida are the revelation side of the season. Nobody expected them to be so bold as to be occupying second place after eight rounds where they have lost only one match.

The Saints are certainly passing through a bright patch, but will be facing a Sliema side which will be looking for more stability under new coach Ray ‘Zazu’ Farrugia.

The Wanderers have been rather disappointing so far this season and are still facing some problems with injuries to some key players, especially midfielders Giglio and Zdenek Zvoboda. Farrugia might also give a chance to some new faces from the club’s younger ranks.

Msida are expected to include their best formation available although there is still uncertainty over the presence of Zongo.

Today’s second clash is the much expected Valletta-Birkirkara clash which should attract a large crowd to Ta’ Qali despite the fact that it is being screened live on Melita Sports.

The two teams have been preparing assiduously for this encounter but while Valletta are expected to have their full complement at their disposal, Birkirkara will still have to play such a difficult match without some of their key players, including Michael Galea, Roderick Briffa, Antoine Zahra and Adrian Ciantar. The four are still recovering from injury, although it is understood that the former three’s return is now imminent.

The two teams, especially the champions, have been going through a patchy start to the season, but Valletta seem to have an edge this season. Not only they are occupying a better placing than the Stripes - albeit on a better goal difference - but in Argentine striker Sebastian Monesterolo, they possess one big match winner.

That is the man the leaky Birkirkara defence will have to watch if they want to avoid defeat this afternoon.

In the other match, Hibernians should also be considered favourites to beat St George’s in the Cottonera derby.

The Paolites are six points adrift of Marsaxlokk in the standings and they cannot afford to drop more points if they are to maintain the pace at the top. The return of Andrew Cohen after missing some matches through injury will certainly help them lift their spirits.

St George’s, like Marsa, will start as the underdogs and they will just be hoping for the best against superior opponents.