Football returns to the Ta’ Qali national stadium as from today with what could be intriguing matches for title challengers Hibernians and Valletta.

Tomorrow, it will be back at the Hibs Ground, where the top match of the weekend – the Old Firm partnership Sliema-Floriana battle - is scheduled to be played, starting at 2pm.

Today’s programme starts with a very tricky match for Hibernians – the derby against rivals Tarxien Rainbows. Immediately after, Valletta come up against Hamrun Spartans.

Tomorrow, immediately after the Floriana-Sliema match, Birkirkara take on Msida St Joseph.

Tarxien Rainbows will now be facing the third title challenger in succession. After having gone down 2-1 against leaders Qormi, they did better against Valletta last Tuesday as they figured in a come-from-behind 2-2 draw. Today they hope to do even better against the champions.

Last Tuesday the Rainbows confirmed they are no pushovers. Even without Denni Rocha dos Santos and with Warren Chircop on a quiet day, they fought back admirably to earn a point following two good goals by Brazilian Ribeiro.

But it was not the Brazilian alone who stood out. Other players, especially youngster Gianluca Calabretta, veteran David Camilleri and Ryan Mintoff, were in inspiring form as they even threatened to take the maximum three points.

The Paolites will certainly have to be aware of the situation. The Rainbows have only lost two of the seven matches they have played and seem to be a very improved side over last season.

On the other hand, the Paolites are coming from an unexpected setback – a 2-3 defeat against Floriana last week. Therefore one might expect them to go all out to obtain the three points and get back on the winning trail.

In today’s second match, Valletta will have to show much better form than that displayed on Tuesday against Tarxien if they are to return to winning form against the Spartans.

Unfortunately, all the talent available at Valletta was not on display at the Victor Tedesco Stadium last Tuesday and unless Dutch coach Ton Caanen solves his side’s problems immediately, then the citizens might find themselves dropping down the standings.

Once again, they should be considered favourites against the Spartans who have just six points from their opening seven matches, but it is a fact that on their day, Hamrun can give a good run to any opponent, and that does not exclude the current shabby Valletta side.

Tomorrow, Sliema will be eager to recover lost ground and do their best to overcome a difficult moment following the 3-0 drubbing by Birkirkara last Monday.

The Wanderers did not know what hit them in a four-minute spell in that match as the Stripes struck three times in quick succession to annihilate Stephen Azzopardi’s side.

The Blues were a pitiful lot especially at the back and they were obviously at sixes and sevens when the Stripes attacked.

Tomorrow, it is not going to be easy either. They will be facing eternal rivals Floriana, fresh their latest success – a 3-2 defeat of champions Hibernians.

The Greens are certainly passing through a good moment and enthusiasm is back at the club, even among its supporters, after a gloomy patch at the start of the season.

In the second match tomorrow, Birkirkara should be able to collect three more points to add to their tally as they take on lowly Msida St Joseph.

The Stripes played superbly all the way against Sliema and their young side is bound to continue improving if the players are convinced of their own abilities.

Paul Zammit’s side has a very good balance with talented young players like Zerafa, Fenech, Bajada, Cilia and Muscat blended with the experience of Galea, Mallia, Nisevic and foreigners Comvalius and Vukanac, not to mention goalie Mora, who is improving with every match.

Msida are aware of their limitations and they know that any point or points won against such teams as Birkirkara will be considered as a bonus. They know that the points that matter must come from the direct matches against opponents which they consider to be more or less of their calibre and likely to fight against

relegation.