The Bank of Valletta Premier League is slowly, but surely, moving towards the end of the first round of the Championship Pool. Only two matches remain, but it is obvious that no one can yet draw any conclusions.

This weekend’s clashes are very important, particularly today’s Valletta-Sliema match, which is the second on the card. Earlier, second placed Marsaxlokk take on Hamrun Spartans. Tomorrow, third placed Birkirkara face Floriana while in the first match, from the Relegation Pool, Pieta Hotspurs face Hibernians.

It is again a highly interesting programme but the Sliema-Valletta match is obviously the highlight. And after the 7-1 win registered by the national team against Liechtenstein last Wednesday, enthusiasm in local football has increased considerably in the hope that it will help attendances to increase for domestic matches.

The Wanderers are lagging in fourth place, six points behind the leaders, but a victory this afternoon, will give them fresh hopes for a serious title challenge till the very end.

That would put them just three points behind Valletta and well within reach of the others in the knowledge that six other matches would still have to be played.

But the Wanderers have to win all the three points and to do that against Valletta, they have to be at their very best. Their task has been made even harder by the suspension of their top scorer Ivan Woods who was red-carded in last weekend’s clash against Hamrun and this means that their chances have been reduced considerably.

On their part, Valletta also need to win the three points to remain on top. They are well aware that their next match is against second placed Marsaxlokk and that could be a big battle for the leadership at the end of the first round.

The citizens lacked imagination and flair last week as they beat rivals Floriana narrowly. True that it was enough to give them the three points and secure more confidence in the side, but they will again need to be at their best to overcome Sliema’s expected strong challenge.

In the meantime, their immediate followers, Marsaxlokk and Birkirkara, could take advantage of the situation if the citizens slip up. Hamrun S. (today) and Floriana (tomorrow) are their opponents respectively and with the latter two sides, occupying the bottom two places with practically no further interest in the proceedings, it is obvious that both Marsaxlokk and the Stripes will start as hot favourites to win the three points.

Marsaxlokk need to return to winning form after their 2-1 debacle against Birkirkara last week, while the Stripes will hope to maintain their current positive run.

In tomorrow’s Relegation Pool match, Hibernians will probably secure their place in the Premier League by beating Pieta. That would put them 11 points above the same Pieta with just four matches remaining.

The Hotspurs are aware that only by beating Hibernians tomorrow will their hopes of avoiding relegation remain alive. The team just above them, Msida St Joseph, are distanced by six points. The Hotspurs, however, have today’s match in hand. Another defeat tomorrow will certainly reduce their chances of survival considerably.