The local Premier Leagues resumes after a long break with a programme that has been forced to be spread over four days – due to current local football exigencies concerning the small capacity at Hamrun’s Victor Tedesco Stadium.

The programme starts today at the Hibs Ground where Msida face Dingli in the first match to be followed by the Hibernians-Floriana encounter. Tomorrow, there is only the Qormi-Hamrun S. match at the Victor Tedesco Stadium, while on Monday, at the same venue, Sliema face Birkirkara. The Valletta-Tarxien match, originally scheduled for tomorrow as the second match at the Victor Tedesco Stadium, has been moved to Tuesday at the same venue.

This has been done as Valletta contended that it would have been impossible to accomodate their numerous supporters at the Hamrun venue after a Qormi-Hamrun S. clash which is also a potential crowd puller.

The citizens had requested that they play on Sunday and that the Qormi-Hamrun clash be moved to Monday, before or after the Birkirkara-Sliema match. This would have enabled the citizens to play their match against Gozo in the National League 100 Anniversary Cup on Wednesday 25 November instead of having it moved to 2 December – a date which is also questionable according to the citizens. On that day, Malta’s Under 23 side will be in action.

Eventually the MFA decided to stage the Qormi-Hamrun match only tomorrow with the Valletta-Tarxien clash being moved to Tuesday.

In the meantime, it is well to take a glance at the standings after such a long stoppage (almost a full month - except for the two midweek matches on 4 November. With all the clubs having played six matches, Valletta, Qormi and Hibernians are on top with 13 points. They are followed by Birkirkara on 10, Sliema nine, Tarxien and Floriana with eight, Hamrun S. with six, Dingli with three and Msida SJ two.

One still has to wait and see how this long layoff will affect the players and the teams. But it is more than evident that jockeying for positions will be keen especially from now on.

With Qormi maintaining their surprise challenge to the leaders, at present we have a three-horse race at the top, but the programme of the seventh round of matches might give a better indication of things to come in the near future.

Hibernians and Birkirkara seem to have the hardest nuts to crack in this programme with the Paolites and defending champions facing Floriana and the Stripes coming up against the Wanderers.

If they manage to squeeze victories, Mark Miller’s boys and Paul Zammit’s team will certainly maintain the pace at the top, especially with Valletta being firm favourites to collect the three points from their clash against Tarxien on Tuesday.

However, nothing has to be taken for granted as the Rainbows have more than justified their mid-table position with eight points, although, with a little more luck and experience, they might have been occupying a more exalted position at the moment.

Hibernians are aware that Floriana are showing improvement with every match and more enthusiasm has been generated following their last-gasp victory against Birkirkara in their last encounter.

On the other hand, Birkirkara will be eager to return to winning form against Sliema, but they know that it will be no easy task.

In fact, Sliema have now gone through two consecutive wins and will also be eager to add another to move closer to the top of the standings.

Qormi also have a difficult match against Hamrun Spartans. After a somewhat dismal start, the Spartans have now picked up six points on the trot with victories over Msida St Joseph and Dingli Swallows.

The Spartans’ morale is high at present but they are aware that they are facing one of the most in-form sides in the competition.

Qormi, in fact, have been the surprise package so far. Despite the 2-0 defeat at the hands of Valletta, Qormi quickly returned to winning form, beating Tarxien’s strong challenge by the odd goal in three.

The other match in this round is today’s clash between the two bottom-placed sides, Msida and Dingli.

The Saints will be doing their utmost to register their first win of the season after having garnered just two points from draws in their opening six matches. Dingli are just one point above them in the standings.