The Bank of Valletta Premier League continues this weekend with a very interesting programme of four matches in which all clubs involved will be looking eagerly for the points.

Today at Ta’ Qali, league leaders Marsaxlokk face the troubled Birkirkara which will be quickly followed by the battle between the joint second-placed clubs, Valletta and Sliema W.

Tomorrow, at the Hibs Ground, Msida St Joseph, also still in the running for a second or third place, meet crisis-hit Hibernians after the Relegation Pool clash between Floriana and St George’s.

In today’s opener, Marsaxlokk will be searching for their first victory over Birkirkara this season. In the earlier two first phase matches, Birkirkara won the first clash 1-0 while the second encounter had ended in a 2-2 draw.

The leaders will be aiming at the three points, no doubt, as they also hope to see the clash between Valletta and Sliema ending in a draw for them to extend their present six-point lead further.

Against the Stripes, Marsaxlokk must be considered hot favourites, after the champions’ poor performances of late which culminated in the disastrous 3-0 defeat at the hands of Valletta last week.

Birkirkara coach Stephen Azzopardi will now have former Floriana coach Jan Artz of The Netherlands, as his assistant as the Stripes strive to overcome their crisis.

With no chance for the title – they are a distant 11 points from Marsaxlokk – they have now targeted a second or third placing or a Trophy win to earn their berth in next season’s UEFA Cup.

This, of course, is still possible, but from now on, the Stripes will just have to forget about the disastrous early season form and return to the winning trail.

In today’s second match, Sliema and Valletta will battle it out to take absolute command of second place.

They will both be hoping that the Stripes will beat Marsaxlokk. In that case, the winner of their clash will move to just within three points of the leaders.

Both teams have been playing some steady football in their latest encounters and it seems as if a battle royale is in the offing.

Tomorrow, Msida will also be doing their best to beat the crisis-hit Hibernians to move closer to the second or third place. But the Saints also have to show improvement over recent matches if they are to write a new chapter in the club’s history, which is that of reaching European football for the first time.

Hibernians, on their part, have failed to lift their morale as they suffered another defeat against Marsaxlokk last week.

Without the suspended Terence Scerri, life will be difficult for the Paolites, even if Cohen will be returning to the side tomorrow.

The Relegation Pool clash between Floriana and St George’s should be worth watching as well. The Greens are starting with 12 points, six ahead of their rivals, but they know that a defeat means that the Saints and Pieta will creep to within just three points of them with five matches still to be played.

The Greens are therefore aware that three points tomorrow, will practically assure them of their Premier status next season, leaving St George’s and Pieta to battle it out between them over who will have to accompany Marsa into next year’s first division.