The second phase of the Bank of Valletta Premier League gets under way this weekend with the first round of matches in the Championship and Relegation Pools.

And already we have a direct clash – in the Relegation Pool – with bottom placed Vittoriosa Stars facing Hibernians tomorrow at the National Stadium.

It is undoubtedly the most important match of the weekend, considering that only two points separate the two teams. And with just one team being relegated this season, it is obvious that the two sides will be eager, first to take all the three points, but if that is not possible, then to avoid defeat.

In another Relegation Pool match to be played next Monday, Sliema come up against Qormi.

In this Pool, Qormi and Sliema are starting on 11 points, three ahead of Hibernians who have eight points, and five over bottom placed Vittoriosa, who have six points.

The three Championship Pool matches for this weekend are today’s Marsaxlokk-Floriana and Tarxien-Birkirkara clashes and tomorrow’s Valletta-Hamrun encounter.

It is also an interesting programme in the Championship Pool where, apart from runaway leaders Valletta, there are five clubs battling it out for the European League places next season – though it might be only one place if the Trophy winner is a team which does not finish in the first three places.

At present, Valletta will start on 22 points, followed by Tarxien on 15, Floriana and Birkirkara on 14, and Marsaxlokk and Hamrun Spartans on 12 points. This clearly shows that there are only three points separating second placed Tarxien from Marsaxlokk and Hamrun.

The Hibernians-Vittoriosa clash is very important for each side. With only two points separating them at present, it is obvious that the Stars need to win or at least draw this encounter to maintain their hopes of saving their status very much alive.

And they have reason to believe that they can do it. In the first phase, they registered a double over the Paolites and, as such, they start this match with a psychologic advantage over their rivals.

Moreover, the Stars will be aiming to take advantage of the disastrous season through which the Paolites are passing and one expects them to go all out for the three points to overtake Mark Miller’s boys in the standings.

If that happens, it will be a big boost for Winston Muscat’s side in its efforts to remain among the elite in the knowledge that it will be easier for them to retain their status next season when the league is to be played with 12 teams, than earning promotion from a 12-team first division league.

The Paolites, however, are expected to be a different team from that witnessed in the first phase. Of course, they will have to improve beyond recognition, especially over last week’s unimpressive performance against Sliema.

That was another confirmation of the mediocre state of this side which certainly needs a boost to get going. I believe they will also be doing everything in their power to avoid defeat tomorrow and, at least, keep ahead of their rivals in the standings.

In the other Relegation Pool clash, Sliema and Qormi will both be aiming for the three points to consolidate their place and avoid possible trouble later on.

But while Sliema registered a fine performance and win over Hibernians last week, Qormi were hugely disappointed after failing to land themselves a Top Six berth despite the expensive signing of striker Michael Mifsud.

The two sides’ hopes of making it to European football next season is via the FA Trophy. Only an ultimate victory in that competition will save their season.

In the Championship Pool, Valletta start tomorrow with a match against Hamrun Spartans.

After the recent draw between the two teams, one expects the Spartans to prove tough opponents for the champions, but the citizens are optimistic about their chances of winning a further three points, especially after last week’s good performance in the victory against Floriana.

Valletta might increase their lead further at the weekend, thus making another bold step towards the title. In fact, if they win and the other two matches finish in draws, then the gap will widen to nine points.

The citizens will have to play this match without the suspended Denni Rocha dos Santos while Hamrun will also have a key player suspended – striker Gaetan Spiteri.

And as things are at present, it is quite possible that the Floriana-Marsaxlokk and Tarxien-Birkirkara clashes might finish in draws.

These four teams are quite balanced and none of them will be glad to start this phase with a defeat.

Floriana will be without the suspended Duncan Pisani, but will have a new striker among their ranks. He is Egyptian Mohamed el Yamani who was signed in midweek. He is a former player of Belgian top club Standard Liege and an Egypt full international, having played two matches and scored once.

Marsaxlokk will have Malcolm Licari missing, ruled out through suspension.

The Southern seasiders are also full of enthusiasm after having avoided playing in the Relegation Pool. A last gasp injury time goal by Alcorse against Qormi last week, gave them a Top Six place and they can now make a fresh challenge for a return to European football next season.

The match between Tarxien and Birkirkara is a repetition of last week’s confrontation which ended in a goalless draw.

On that day, the Stripes seemed to have the better chances but were thwarted by Rainbows’ goalie David Cassar.

The champions are struggling to find last season’s form, but are hoping that things will improve in this second round as they try to move up from the fourth place they are occupying at present.

Tarxien are certainly not lacking in enthusiasm. Having finished a creditable second in the first phase – another brilliant chapter in the club’s history – they are now looking ahead towards a first ever berth in next season’s Europa League.

Of course, they will have to maintain their momentum but with their three Brazilians on form, they will be able to survive and keep up their challenge till the very end.