It is second placed Tarxien’s turn to try and stop the rampant Citizens from increasing their already handsome lead at the top of the Premier League standings this weekend.

Tomorrow, the Rainbows are scheduled to meet the league leaders in the second match at the Ta’ Qali National Stadium. Prior to this match, Floriana will have the chance to garner another three important points as they face bottom placed Vittoriosa Stars.

The programme also includes two other matches being played today at the Hibernians Stadium. In the first match, Qormi will be facing Sliema W. while in the one that follows, Marsaxlokk take on Birkirkara.

With Valletta already certain of their place among the Top Six (they are also very strong favourites to win the title), the battle is on for the remaining five places with both second and third placed Tarxien and Floriana leading the race which, at present, involves no fewer than seven clubs.

Mathematically, the last two placed teams, Hibernians and Vittoriosa Stars are not yet out of contention, but their task has become almost impossible now, considering the remaining matches in this first phase.

As already said, it is Tarxien’s turn to lower City’s colours for the first time this season.

Valletta are still unbeaten and their exalted position clearly indicates the difference in potential between them and the rest of their challengers, if there are any this season.

Jesmond Zerafa has brought about the much-needed confidence in his boys and they are getting the desired results – to the delight of their numerous supporters.

Last week’s important win against Birkirkara clearly brought out the character of the City players who came from behind to score a victory which left their opponents reeling.

On their part, Tarxien failed to maintain their momentum last week when they were held to a 1-1 draw by Qormi.

Yet, on their day, they could provide stiff opposition to the Citizens who have to be on full alert at the back if they are to avoid surprises from the Rainbows’ Brazilian trio of strikers who have confirmed they are among the best foreigners in Maltese football at present.

All eyes (except those of Valletta) will be on Tarxien this weekend as Floriana, Birkirkara and possibly Hamrun will be hoping for a surprise Rainbows win in the knowledge that it might affect the standings, especially when the points are halved at the start of the second phase, that is, the Championship Pool.

Floriana will certainly be aiming for the three points from their match against Vittoriosa Stars tomorrow.

The Greens are passing through one of their best ever seasons in recent years, if not the best, and another three points tomorrow will see them moving closer to ascertain their place among the Top Six in the Championship Pool.

The Stars will certainly offer decent opposition, as they have done to almost every other team in the competition, but will have to show improvement at the back if they themselves hope to win more points in their quest to avoid relegation.

Today, the programme starts with the clash between Qormi and Sliema Wanderers. The two teams are occupying seventh and eighth place with just one point separating them.

They are both aware that they need the points badly if they are to maintain hopes of finishing among the Top Six after the first phase.

Last week, Qormi did well to earn a point from their match against Tarxien Rainbows, while the Wanderers only managed to beat Vittoriosa Stars after coming back from 3-2 behind to score two late goals for a 4-3 victory.

In the other match tomorrow, Birkirkara will be facing Marsaxlokk.

It is another match in which both sides will be aiming for the three points to improve their position in the standings.

It is still to be seen whether the Stripes can quickly come back after their defeat against Valletta last week. That was a major disappointment for the Stripes clan as it has left them a massive 13 points adrift of the leaders with practically little hope of making the leeway even in the second phase.

In the hope that Valletta might be stopped one day, they cannot afford to lose further points. But this also applies to Marsaxlokk.

In fact, the southern seasiders are also aiming for a Top Six place. At present, they are occupying sixth place, but they have 15 points, that is, just one point above Sliema and two over Qormi.

No doubt Patrick Curmi’s boys have to show better form than in recent encounters if they are to upset the Stripes – an outfit still considered by many as one of the strongest on the island.