HENRY BRINCAT

Sliema Wanderers will be facing their biggest test so far in this year’s competition when they take on their great rivals Birkirkara this afternoon.

The Bank of Valletta Premier League resumes this weekend after the break for the national team clashes against Turkey and Armenia.

There could not have been a better start after the memorable clash against Turkey as local football is now riding the crest of a wave of enthusiasm.

The Sliema-Birkirkara match today and the Valletta-Hibernians clash next Monday promise to be two keenly fought and entertaining matches, even though most of the players still have to reach their peak.

At present, when each club has played two matches, Sliema, Floriana and Marsaxlokk lead the standings with a maximum six points. They are followed by Birkirkara on four, Valletta and Hamrun on three, Hibernians have one point while Mqabba, Pieta and Msida are still searching for their first league point.

With three clubs already setting the pace at the top of the table, it is obvious that teams like Birkirkara, Valletta and Hibernians will be eager to maintain the pace at the top, even if the competition is still in its early stages. In fact, they would wish to remain hovering close to the top to maintain their challenge throughout.

It seems as if Floriana and Marsaxlokk are great favourites to bag another three points from their weekend clashes against Mqabba and Hamrun respectively, while Sliema, although starting as favourites against the Stripes, will have the more arduous task of all the three clubs at the top.

The Greens, although still not considered as Championship favourites, will do themselves a world of good if, as expected, they register a third successive win against newly-promoted Mqabba today.

Danilo Doncic’s boys should not fail to deliver, considering that they were one of the most outstanding teams at this start to the season with impressive performances against Valletta and Hibernians where they obtained two excellent wins.

The Premier newcomers will certainly have another difficult task facing them, but it is fair to say that in their last match against Birkirkara, they showed progress and nearly pulled off a surprise result.

In the second match today, Etienne Barbara and Roderick Briffa will be playing against their former club and team-mates and will be looking forward to avenge themselves, especially Barbara, who was told that he was not in the coach’s plans before joining Sliema.

The Malta striker has started the season on a top note and has already scored four goals in two matches, making him the leading scorer.

Sliema have not yet reached their top levels. Yet, Ray Farrugia’s boys have been lethal in their matches against Msida and Hamrun and the Stripes will have to be on their very best behaviour to keep Barbara, Woods and Madzar at bay, if they wish to maintain the pace at the top.

Birkirkara have been somewhat unimpressive, but their new-look side is ought to improve when the newcomers settle down in their new surroundings. Coach John Buttigieg will be hoping for a good result this afternoon to boost the team and its chances.

Marcelin Tamboulias is expected to make his debut for the Stripes tin this match. The Central African Republic international midfielder has taken the place of Boris Sandjo in their squad after the latter’s injury in the first match against Hibernians. Also, Lee Lombardi will be facing his former team-mates and club as he transferred from the Wanderers to the Stripes during the off-season.

Tomorrow, in the first match, Pieta Hotspurs and Msida St Joseph will be looking forward to collect their first point or points of the new season.

This is also expected to be a keenly contested match as these two sides are harbouring hopes of a sixth place finish and hope to collect the required points from these direct clashes.

In the second match tomorrow, Marsaxlokk should also be considered firm favourites to beat Hamrun Spartans and claim a third successive win.

Brian Talbot’s side has had a quiet, but successful start to the season with two rather easy wins against so-called small clubs.

The Spartans, newcomers this season, will be expected to offer some stiff resistance, but the champions seem to have much more guns to pin down their opponents.