The Bank of Valletta Premier League continues today and tomorrow with the 12th round of matches which started yesterday with the Hamrun-Sliema clash.

Today at the National Stadium, Ta’ Qali, league leaders Valletta face Qormi while in the match that followed, third placed Birkirkara face last from bottom Hibernians.

Tomorrow, at the Hibernians Stadium, bottom placed Vittoriosa Stars face second placed Tarxien Rainbows, while in the second match, Marsaxlokk face Floriana.

It should be another interesting weekend but it could also be a good chance for Valletta to increase their already handsome lead at the top of the standings.

At present they have a handsome seven-point lead over Tarxien and 10 over third placed Birkirkara. That could increase this afternoon as Tarxien will only be in action tomorrow.

If Valletta win and Birkirkara follows suit against Hibernians, the citizens will have a 10-point lead over Tarxien and Birkirkara, but the Rainbows will have tomorrow’s match against the Stars in hand.

But with Valletta playing with great confidence, Birkirkara facing the wounded Hibernians side and Tarxien facing the improving Vittoriosa, is seems possible that the citizens might extend their lead further.

Valletta are going from strength to strength and Qormi must be aware that they will be facing a tough task to keep the citizens at bay, especially in-form striker Terence Scerri.

Qormi could have won the three points against Vittoriosa last week, but they found it difficult to hold on to a 2-1 lead with 10 men, and finally settled for a point from a 2-2 draw.

Birkirkara are also facing difficult times despite their third placing. Last week, they struggled to get the three points against Floriana, but everyone must concede that Paul Zammit has been quite unlucky this season as he could not include his typical line-up at least once so far.

He has had several players injured or suspended and had to play with makeshift formations in almost every match. The most positive thing about the champions is that they have only lost twice in 12 matches although they lost several points from five drawn encounters.

Tomorrow Tarxien Rainbows will certainly be motivated to go all out for a win whatever the outcome of today’s clashes.

If Valletta win, they are aware they also have to win to maintain the pace with the leaders, while if Valletta drop points, they will move closer to the citizens if they beat the Stars.

Tarxien have been one of the most entertaining outfits of the campaign so far and their Brazilian foreigners are certainly a delight to watch.

Another three points tomorrow will certainly move them very close to earning a berth among the Top Six for a second consecutive time.

But the Stars will not be staring at them either. Vittoriosa have been improving with every match they have been playing in the last few weeks and could prove to be tough opponents for the Rainbows.

If Hibernians lose today, they will certainly become more motivated to get the three points to overtake the Paolites at the bottom end of the standings.

In the final match on the programme, Marsaxlokk take on Floriana. Both teams failed to register a victory last week as Marsaxlokk drew 1-1 with Sliema and Floriana lost to Birkirkara 1-0.

It should be a balanced match with the two teams aiming to improve their mid-table positions. Floriana are in fifth place on 15 points, while Marsaxlokk are sixth on 14.