The battle for the League Championship this season – at the start of the second phase – seems to be limited to just two teams. In fact Hibs will start the Championship Pool just one point ahead of Valletta, and five ahead of third placed Birkirkara.

The Stripes at present seem to be out of contention after having lost Saturday’s important match against the Paolites.

At the other end of the standings, Marsaxlokk maintained their impressive rally in recent matches to beat the disappointing Msida who suffered a fourth consecutive defeat with the consequence that they will now have to fight bitterly to avoid relegation. Even if they start three and four points ahead of the two bottom clubs, Qormi and Tarxien Rainbows.

Apart from the two title challengers, Birkirkara might be the team which seems to have the biggest interest in the proceedings from now. A good, positive run can put them back into contention for the title. And not only: they are occupying a comfortable third place which, if they can consolidate, could mean a place in next year’s Europa League (instead of the UEFA Cup).

Birkirkara will achieve that aim even if they win the Trophy.

But of course, the outcome in this competition will become clearer the coming weekend when the semi-finals of the competition – Valletta-Birkirkara and Sliema-Marsaxlokk are played.

Fourth, fifth and sixth placed Sliema, Floriana and Marsaxlokk will also be eyeing a place in European football, either through the Trophy or through a third or fourth place in the League, especially Floriana, who are also out of the Trophy.

At the other end of the table – the Relegation Pool – one expects a tough battle for survival between all the four teams involved. In fact, as already said, only four points separate the top club from the one at the bottom and that means that everything is still possible in the remaining six matches to be played by each club.

Taking a glance at the weekend matches, one cannot but not comment on the great recovery by the 10-man Hibernians side in their match against Birkirkara.

With 20 minutes to go, it was 2-0 for the Stripes who seemed to be cruising home to an important win. Yet, the Paolites had other ideas. They pulled back a goal, scored an equaliser and then also struck the winner a few minutes from the end, to turn the tables completely on their opponents.

One here has to remark that Ben Camilleri’s goal for Hibernians (the Paolites’ first) should not have been allowed to stand. TV footage showed that he had pushed the ball in with his hand rather than his head. Yet, such things happen in football. Despite the protests of the Birkirkara players, the referee and his assistant seemed to have noticed nothing untoward.

The goal gave Mark Miller’s side an injection towards a bold effort to save the match. At the end, the result proved to be a big boost in their chase for the title.

It was only a confirmation that Hibernians have been the most consistent team – football wise – in the competition with Terence Scerri leading and inspiring the side with his goals. He scored another brace on Saturday.

As for Birkirkara, it was another dismal defeat in six days. Against Marsaxlokk the previous Monday, they saw their opponents striking back to win 3-2 in the last few minutes. Last Saturday, the defeat was even more uncomfortable. In fact, as already said, they saw their opponents (in 10 men) rallying back from 0-2 in arrears to turn defeat into a 3-2 win with three goals in the last 20 minutes.

John Buttigieg has built a side with a lot of talented players, but after somehow solving the problems which appeared evident up front until a few weeks ago, it is now the defence which is leaking in the goals that matter.

Valletta remained the most consistent side – result wise – as they maintained their impressive 18-match unbeaten record with a 3-1 win against Hamrun Spartans.

The citizens were given a somewhat tough time by the Spartans as the latter remained well in contention till the dismissal of defender Jonathan Bondin.

Till then, the Spartans were 2-1 in arrears and were forcing Valletta back in defence at the start of the second half, even being denied what looked like a clear penalty when already down to 10 men.

It could have been another story, of course, but one cannot deny that Valletta were a superior outfit, even if perhaps unconvincing once again.

The citizens are definitely in possession of the strongest elements in local football. With their unbeaten record behind them, they may remain the team to beat in the Championship Pool, especially if the team regains the form of last season.

Sliema and Floriana disappointed their followers at the weekend, with the Blues only winning a point thanks to a late penalty from Dronca against Qormi, while Floriana fared even worse as they stumbled to a disappointing 3-0 defeat against bottom club Tarxien Rainbows.

So Marsaxlokk have managed to turn the tables on Msida in the battle for the final Top Six berth thanks to a 2-1 win on Saturday, even if the Saints managed to get back Brazilian top striker Pedro dos Santos Calcado in time to take part.

The southern seasiders must be commended for their inspirational run near the end of the first phase which included that memorable 3-2 win against Birkirkara last week.

Their success was owed mainly to the goals of Julio Alcorse, but the whole squad, including coach Patrick Curmi, need a big pat on the back for the way they went about their job, winning four consecutive matches to maintain their hopes alive till the very end.

Msida must only blame themselves for their failure to land themselves among the Top Six.

They have been almost there – so close – since 18 January. On that day they beat Qormi 1-0, but since then, they lost four consecutive matches, failing to land the last two elusive points.

In the Relegation Pool, all the other three teams will be battling to avoid the Drop.

Even bottom club Tarxien Rainbows will offer a serious challenge, especially after their encouraging 3-0 win over Floriana on Sunday, where once again, Brazilian striker Daniel Mariano Bueno (he is rumoured to joining Valletta next season) confirming his great striking potential.

The Rainbows, Qormi and Hamrun all have enough good elements in their squad to give Msida, at present leading the standings, a good run for their money.