Local football’s ‘Old Firm’ of Sliema Wanderers and Floriana will be aiming for the top placing in local football when they will be in action this evening at the national stadium, Ta’ Qali.

Floriana will be facing Hibernians at 6pm while Sliema meet newly promoted Hamrun Spartans at 8pm.

At present, Birkirkara lead the standings on four points from two matches, while Sliema, Floriana, Hamrun and Marsaxlokk follow closely on three points from one match. Valletta, Pieta, Msida and Mqabba still have to collect their first points.

The Greens, fresh from their very impressive win against rivals Valletta last Monday, will now be facing another stern test in the form of Hibernians of Paola, even if Robert Gatt’s boys were somewhat unimpressive in the 1-1 draw with Birkirkara.

Danilo Doncic could not have had a better start in his new role as coach. What a victory it was against the club which he had led to so many honours with his impressive goals in the past!

If the Greens manage to reproduce the same form as that shown on Monday, I would not be surprised they might even repeat last season’s victory over Hibs in the opening match when Floriana ran out winners 4-1.

Last Monday the Greens ran riot against Valletta with young Christian Caruana netting two fine goals and producing a display reminiscent of the Carmel Busuttil we used to admire in the 1980s. I am sure Caruana will soon be donning the national team jersey.

But first, the Greens have to tackle the Hibs opposition. Undoubtedly, the Paolites are far stronger than they showed against Birkirkara. Admittedly, that was an early season match, but I am sure they will also improve as the season grows older.

In players like Andrew Cohen and Terence Scerri they have proven match-winners and Floriana will have to pay special attention to this striking duo, if they want to maintain their current enthusiasm.

The second match sees two teams who have opened the season with a victory. Sliema and Hamrun have already met in a friendly which the Spartans won, but tonight’s match will be somewhat different and Marco Gerada’s boys will certainly be aware that now is the moment of truth.

Not that the Spartans have no ambitions of their own. In fact, they might even be thinking of another positive result this evening. But on another note, they also have to be realistic and admit that the Wanderers could prove to be too strong for them.

Ray Farrugia’s ambition is quite clear. The Blues have strengthened their squad with players of the calibre of Etienne Barbara and Roderick Briffa and after winning their first match against Msida quite comfortably, they are now expected to repeat the dose, this time against the Spartans.