It is another important weekend for the local Premier League as it is the end of the first round, except, of course, for Valletta and Hamrun – the match between them is to be played next Wednesday.

Some other important matches are being played between today and tomorrow, starting today with the bottom end of the table clash between Sliema and Hibernians quickly followed by the city and suburban derby clash between Valletta and Floriana.

Tomorrow, in the first match, Marsaxlokk face Qormi while in the second encounter, the high-flying Tarxien Rainbows will be facing Birkirkara.

The most important match, without any doubt, is the derby between Valletta and Floriana. It is a match in which the Greens, four points behind the citizens who also have a game in hand, are asked to stop the citizens from running away with the title, thus maintaining maximum interest in this year’s competition.

The other clubs who are closest to Valletta, and these also include Marsaxlokk, Tarxien, Birkirkara and Hamrun, will all be following proceedings closely in the hope that the citizens are finally stopped.

No doubt, Jesmond Zerafa’s boys will be eager to maintain their triumphant march at the top. They are even aware that they can extend their lead at the top especially if tomorrow’s matches end in draws.

Valletta have become a very powerful outfit. After a quiet start in which they failed to impress, the citizens have now become a seemingly unbeatable side.

No one can question their strength – they are certainly the better equipped side in the Premier League this season with a full squad which is second to none. They have become even stronger with the return of Gilbert Agius from injury.

For Floriana, it will not be an easy task to overcome this obstacle. Coach Todor Raykov is aware of the difficulty in trying to stop Valletta, but he must be very satisfied with what his side has achieved so far this season.

The Greens have had one of their best starts in several seasons and after last week’s victory against their eternal rivals Sliema, they are confident that they can repeat the dose against Valletta.

The Greens know that only a victory this afternoon will keep them in touch. That will move them to just two points from the citizens, but that could revert to five on Wednesday if Valletta beat Hamrun. If Valletta win today’s clash, they will open a seven point lead over the Greens with Wednesday’s game in hand.

Today’s first match could also be a real thriller as Sliema and Hibernians will obviously be seeking to return to winning form after some disastrous performances.

After having played eight matches, Sliema are third from bottom on eight points, while Hibernians are faring even worse – they have just six points.

It is a worrying situation for these two clubs with a great history. It is obvious that they are struggling and only a victory will bring back some prestige to the winners, as well as more disillusionment for the losers.

Hibs were partly unlucky as they lost the derby against Tarxien last week, while Sliema went down to their old rivals Floriana through a goal by Ivan Woods, a former Wanderers player until last summer.

Tomorrow, the programme starts with the clash between Marsaxlokk and Qormi.

The two sides were disappointed last weekend with Marsaxlokk being held to a 1-1 draw by lowly but improving Vittoriosa, while Qormi went down 2-0 to Birkirkara.

Even here, the two sides will be expected to go all out in search of the three points which might pave the way for a brighter second round.

In the match that follows, Birkirkara now face Tarxien as they continue clawing their way back up the table after some disastrous outings.

No doubt, the various absences through injury and suspension in the opening six or seven matches, had a telling effect on some of the performances of Paul Zammit’s side.

Against Qormi, however, the side showed signs of recovery even if they left it late to turn their superiority into a second goal which assured them of the three points.

Against Tarxien tomorrow, it should be another good test for the Stripes as the Rainbows are certainly passing through a splendid moment.

After their derby win last week, they moved into joint second place in the table – and they certainly deserve that placing considering their recent performances.

Noel Coleiro’s side is one of the most in-form teams at the moment with the Brazilians confirming their status as top performers in our Premier League.

Another victory tomorrow against Birkirkara will not only keep the side in second place at the end of the first round, but will also instil much more confidence in the boys in their efforts to earn a Top Six place.