After the one-week break allowed for the international match against Croatia, the Premier League resumes with a big bang – in fact, we have four very interesting matches.

The programme starts this afternoon with the clash between the ‘Old Firm’ partners of Floriana and Sliema, followed by the Hibernians-Tarxien Rainbows derby.

Tomorrow, Vittoriosa take on Marsaxlokk before a Qormi-Birkirkara clash which promises to be keenly contested.

The leaders, Valletta, and Hamrun Spartans, will be inactive this time round. This match is to be played on Wednesday 1 December.

Obviously, today’s two clashes should be the biggest attractions this weekend. Both matches are being played at the Hibs Stadium at Corradino.

In the first match, both teams will be aiming for a win. Sliema are on just eight points after seven matches and occuping a lowly position in the standings, while Floriana have two more – 10 – but still seven points behind leaders Valletta.

It is evident that Sliema will be all out to get the three points to move up the table while Floriana will also be eyeing the three points in an effort to keep close to Valletta as much as possible in the knowledge that the match between the two rivals will soon arrive.

The Hibs-Tarxien derby should be the keenest match of the weekend and it should provide enthusiasts with the ‘fireworks’ normally associated with such derbies.

At present, Tarxien seem to be the team most in form of the two clubs. They occupy a healthy position on 10 points, while the Paolites have had one of their most disastrous starts in years, having collected just six points from their opening seven matches. In fact, they are occupying last from bottom position, only one point ahead of wooden spoonists Vittoriosa Stars.

Hibernians will certainly have to pull up their socks and go all out for victory. Not only do they need the points if they are hoping to earn a Top Six place, but they also need a good boost for an improvement in the second round of the first phase.

Tarxien, however, will not be staring at their wounded opponents. In fact, they will be looking forward to inflict more damage on their rivals while, at the same, time, improving their position and chances to earn a Top Six place themselves – as they did last season.

Tomorrow, Vittoriosa will be looking forward to maintain their positive run against Marsaxlokk in the first match at the Victor Tedesco Stadium in Hamrun.

The Stars have collected five points – a victory and two draws – in their last three matches. And those included a prestigious win against Hibernians and draws against Floriana and Birkirkara.

Now they entertain Marsaxlokk, currently second in the standings, and Winston Muscat’s side must again be at its very best to upstage their rivals.

Marsaxlokk have been quite impressive so far this season. But it is not surprising to see them occupying such an elated position as they have the talent expected from a team challenging for the top places.

Marsaxlokk will certainly be in no mood for mercy with the Stars and they would be expected to aim for the three points to move to within two points of Valletta.

In the final match on the programme, tomorrow afternoon, Qormi take on a disappointing Birkirkara side – another match in which both sides will be aiming for the three points.

Qormi coach Stephen Azzopardi will be trying hard to upstage his former club but the side is aware that they have to improve, especially in attack, if they are to emerge with a positive result from this encounter.

Birkirkara have been somewhat unimpressive in most of their matches.

However, tomorrow, coach Paul Zammit will be able to have a full squad at his disposal once again as Rowen Muscat and Trevor Cilia are both expected to be declared fit to face the Yellow Blacks – they both missed recent matches due to injuries.