Birkirkara and Qormi will be seeking a second consecutive win this weekend as the teams play the second round of matches of the first phase.

The programme started yesterday evening with the clash between Valletta and Hibernians. Today, Vittoriosa Stars entertain Qormi before Birkirkara take on Floriana in the second match. Tomorrow, Hamrun Spartans cross swords with Tarxien Rainbows in the opener, while the match that follows will be that between Marsaxlokk and Sliema Wanderers.

All points towards two afternoons of good entertainment at Ta’ Qali as all the clubs are now seeking to establish their positions in the standings. It is obvious that Birkirkara and Hamrun will be seeking a second consecutive win after their impressive victories of last week. Tarxien and Marsaxlokk will be seeking their first win after having drawn the clash beween them, while for Vittoriosa, Qormi, Floriana and Sliema, it is a case of putting their campaign back on track after suffering comprehensive defeats in their openers.

Vittoriosa and Qormi are also seeking their first point of the season as they clash in the first match this afternoon.

While Qormi were somewhat unimpressive in their defeat against Hamrun, the Stars did not perform badly against title challengers Valletta and were only gunned down in the final 10 minutes. Till then they were still in with a chance of saving a point.

Given time, this side is bound to be more productive and although they might not challenge for the honours, they do well to hope to avoid relegation at the end of the season.

Qormi are passing through a transition period. During the summer the side made a lot of changes, including having a new coach - Stephen Azzopardi. Of course, the latter has the responsibility of making selections. But the club’s fans must be patient until the team settles down to a normal pattern.

In the second match, Birkirkara will be facing Floriana after having stunned Sliema last week. The Stripes, heavily depleted with the absence of five suspended players and with Brazilian goalkeeper Lovizon having to leave the pitch with a fractured hand after just four minutes, defied all by producing a superb performance – a great show of strength – to annihilate the much fancied Wanderers side.

Whether Paul Zammit is now able to convince the same players to produce the same magic form this afternoon against Floriana is still to be seen. But it is more than evident that this Birkirkara side seems to be even stronger than that of last season, judging from what was seen in last week’s victory against Sliema.

The Greens did not perform badly against Hibernians, but two quick goals midway through the first half put paid to any hopes they might have had of obtaining a positive result.

Against the champions, they must be aware that it will not be easy, but they hope to get their challenge back on track, if possible with a win.

Tomorrow, the Spartans will be seeking a second victory when they face Tarxien Rainbows.

Hamrun were somewhat impressive against the Greens and their encouraging performance should boost their hopes of also beating the Rainbows.

The latter must produce better form that they did against Marsaxlokk, but Noel Coleiro’s side cannot be taken for granted. Among their ranks are some good players, especially the foreigners, who can make life difficult for any team.

In the other match on Sunday, Mark Marlow has the onus of getting his side out of the doldrums. After their unexpected heavy defeat against the depleted Stripes, the Blues are now in a must-win situation, especially if Birkirkara and Hamrun win their clashes to go on six points.

Sliema, however, must show better form, especially in midfield and defence, if they are to entertain hopes of bagging maximum points against newly promoted Marsaxlokk.

The latter obtained only a point from their clash against Tarxien Rainbows last week, but Patrick Curmi’s side also includes experienced players who can turn the tide in their favour against any kind of opponent.