The Bank of Valletta Premier League resumes after the Trophy break this weekend with four clashes – three from the Championship Pool and one from the Relegation Pool.

Today, in the opening match, Sliema will be facing Msida St Joseph which will be quickly followed by the Valletta-Birkirkara clash. Tomorrow, Marsa will be facing Pieta Hotspurs before the Marsaxlokk-Hibernians clash.

Marsaxlokk start as firm favourites to lift their first ever title in their history. They are enjoying a six-point cushion over joint second placed Msida, Sliema and Valletta and eight over Birkirkara. Hibs are starting ten points adrift.

This effectively means that leaders Marsaxlokk are in a position to afford two defeats and still remain on top as the other contenders will be expected to lose some points in the matches between themselves.

Marsaxlokk could also be expected to extend their lead at the top this weekend if they win tomorrow’s clash against Hibernians, depending, of course, on the outcome of today’s matches.

In the opening match, Sliema and Msida will again be facing each other after their recent encounter in which Sliema emerged easy and clear 3-0 winners over their rivals.

This does not mean that a repetition of that scoreline is on the card. Far from it, as one expects Msida to bounce back and maintain their challenge, if not for the unlikely title, at least for a place in European football next season. And that will add another page to the history books of the club.

Patrick Curmi is expected to have all his players at his disposal this afternoon and is hoping that his boys – especially his foreign trio of Zongo, Babatunde and Nwoke – will show all their skills as they try to take avenge of the 3-0 defeat.

On their part, Sliema seem to be back on the mark and since the arrival of Ray ‘Zazu’ Farrugia on the bench, they have advanced even if they have been mostly unimpressive in their performances.

Midfielder Stefan Giglio is also showing improvement since his return from injury and his continued presence is ought to leave its effect as well as the talented player should be a great asset to the side which tries to continue its comeback in this Championship Pool.

Valletta and Bikirkara also meet again after just a few weeks. In that last first phase encounter, Valletta completed a double over the champions as they emerged 3-1 winners after having won the first match 1-0.

These two results provide the citizens with a psychological edge but the Stripes would be expected to do their utmost to get better results in this second phase as they try to move upfield and nearer to a European football berth next season.

The Stripes will have Michael Galea missing through suspension, but expect to include Etienne Barbara in their lien-up following his injury, which kept him out of their last matches.

Marsaxlokk will have the advantage of knowing the results of today’s matches before they will be in action tomorrow.

Even so, they will still be considered favourites to bag the three points from their clash with Hibernians.

The Paolites are demoralised after their unexpected defeat at the hands of Cottonera rivals St George’s in the recent derby. Following that match, they also had top striker Terence Scerri suspended for a whole eight months and his absence will certainly be felt among their ranks. Also unavailable through suspension tomorrow are Andrew Cohen and Adrian Pulis, who will therefore make life easier for the southern seasiders.

Marsaxlokk, meanwhile, have maintained their unbeaten stance since that first match against Birkirkara.

They are certainly the most consistent side in the Premier this season, and credit should go to coach Brian Talbot who has produced the best from his players, especially midfielders Jamie Pace and Kevin Sammut and central defender Luke Dimech.

Against the Paolites, they will certainly start as hot favourites, but they will have to be on the alert as from now on, competition is bound to get tougher.

At the other end, Marsa will be facing Pieta Hotspurs in a ‘must win’ match, if they are to retain any hope of being able to survive this season.

The Red Blues start with just two points and are still searching for their first win of the season, but nothing is impossible considering that the two teams above them have six points and there are six matches to play till the end.