In the past we had Sliema-Floriana, Valletta-Floriana and Valletta-Hamrun derbies in Maltese football. However, since the mid-nineties, we have now become accustomed to a relatively new one – the Valletta-Birkirkara derby.

And this season it could not have come at a more appropriate time. While writing this preview – before yesterday evening’s Floriana-Qormi match - Valletta are leading the standings on 20 points, following by Birkirkara and Qormi on 19 with Hibs in fourth place on 16.

With Qormi having played Floriana yesterday evening, it is evident that today’s clash between the citizens and the Stripes has become even more important in so far as the top place in the table is concerned.

The two sides will be eyeing a victory to collect a further three points. Valletta will want to confirm that they are on the way to recovery after some hiccups which caused concern in the Valletta FC family.

The 7-0 win against Gozo in the national league anniversary cup and last week’s 4-1 win against bottom club Dingli, somehow alleviated the previous sufferings of the numerous City supporters, among them the 1-0 defeat against Hibernians and the 2-2 draw against Tarxien, not to mention the unimpressive 3-2 win against Hamrun Spartans.

Now that seems to be all over as Valletta have registered two consecutive wins in the League, that is, against the Spartans and Dingli S. Admittedly, these were two teams from the lower end of the table and it is yet to be seen whether Ton Caanen’s boys will be able to return to their early season form against the big guns, among them without any shadow of doubt, today’s rivals Birkirkara.

The Stripes, under the charge of former Valletta coach Paul Zammit, have been playing the best football so far this season, especially in the last three matches. Not only that however. In fact, they have been piling up the goals in no uncertain manner. And let no one forget that this was their worst habit until last season!

It is well to recall that the Stripes have scored no fewer than 12 goals in their last three matches – all of them very impressive wins - (3-0 v Sliema, 4-1 against Msida and 5-2 against Qormi).

However, Zammit will have to reshuffle his side today as he will be missing two of his regular players in the form of left flank defender Joseph Zerafa and midfielder Paul Fenech. It will not be easy for Zammit to find siutable replacements from his current squad but he will possibly be giving the returning Njongo Priso special attention to try and limit City’s danger up in front. Priso is expected to replace the injured Ian Zammit and partner Terence Scerri in attack.

Valletta will also have central defender Luke Dimech returning to the side from suspension.

In the other matches this weekend, Hibernians have another difficult clash against Hamrun S. this afternoon, while tomorrow, at the Hibs Ground, Tarxien face bottom club Dingli. In the second match tomorrow, Msida come up against the resurgent Sliema W.

The Paolites received a jolt to their hopes of retaining the title – even if one has to concede it is still early – last week when they lost to Sliema who scored their winner in added injury time.

The Paolites need to show more commitment if they are to maintain their challenge and it is imperative for them to get back to winning form as quickly as possible.

They seem to have a good opportunity against the Spartans today, but Steve D’Amato’s boys are proving to be a hard nut to crack for any other team facing them.

The Spartans have only collected nine points in the first round, but I think they did quite well considering the circumstances they faced at the start of the campaign. One must also add that they were unlucky to have suffered defeat on a number of occasions.

In the other matches, both Tarxien and Sliema seem to be favourites to collect three points from their encounters tomorrow.

Tarxien will be looking to return to winning form after their disappointing performance against Hamrun last week, when they were beaten by a 10-man Spartans side.

On their part, Stephen Azzopardi’s Sliema have a good chance to obtain a further three points which should lift them further up the standings, in the hope that the front runners will lose some points at the weekend.