Current league leaders Valletta are facing a must win clash against Marsaxlokk tomorrow while at the other end of the standings, bottom club Vittoriosa Stars meet Qormi in a crucial Relegation Pool clash.

In other matches, this weekend, from the Championship Pool, Floriana take on Tarxien Rainbows today while Hamrun Spartans meet Birkirkara tomorrow. Sliema and Hibernians meet in a Relegation Pool match on Monday evening.

Valletta are currently enjoying a healthy six-point lead over second placed Birkirkara, but their confidence will be shattered if Birkirkara were to win again against the Spartans and they follow up with a draw or a defeat against Marsaxlokk.

In such an event, the citizens’ lead could shrink to four or even three points.

In their recent second phase clash, Marsaxlokk and Valletta played out a goalless draw with the southern seasiders even threatening to score a late injury time goal which would have spelt an end to City’s unbeaten record this season.

Since then, Valletta have been held to two draws by Hamrun Spartans – the last one the past weekend – and already there have been some alarm bells ringing in the City camp.

These must certainly be erased tomorrow with a victory against Marsaxlokk if Jesmond Zerafa’s boys are to maintain their impressive run towards the title.

The Citizens have to keep a close eye on M’Xlokk dangerman Alfred Effiong, scorer of all the four goals in their 4-0 win over Floriana last week.

Marsaxlokk are full of enthusiasm after that win which has propelled them into third place, two points behind Birkirkara. Their main aim may not be the title, but they are certainly entertaining hopes of making it to either the second or third place in an effort to get back in European competition next season.

The citizens will have the advantage of knowing the result of the Hamrun-Birkirkara match which is to be played before the Valletta-M’Xlokk clash.

Therefore, the pressure will be on the Stripes. If they are still entertaining hopes of catching up with the citizens, they must beat the Spartans to maintain their challenge.

Even if their chances are remote, they will have a lot to play for, especially in defence of the second place which also assures them of a place in the Europa League next season.

But Hamrun, buoyed by their 1-1 draw against Valletta last week, are also aware they are still within reach of the second place – at present they lie four points behind the Stripes.

The two sides are currently playing some good football. While Hamrun held Valletta, the Stripes perhaps played their best football so far this season in the defeat of Tarxien by three goals to one.

Birkirkara will have midfield mainstay Shaun Bajada missing through suspension, while the Spartans have striker Anizoba suspended.

In the other Championship Pool clash, Tarxien and Floriana will be aiming to return to winning form as they clash against each other this afternoon.

Floriana will be under the charge of Michael Woods after Bulgarian mentor Todor Raykov was dismissed following the 4-0 defeat against Marsaxlokk.

Tarxien will have Justin Grioli and Manuel Caruana missing through suspension. Floriana’s Clyde Borg is also suspended.

The most important match of the weekend is certainly the Relegation Pool clash between Vittoriosa Stars and Qormi this afternoon.

At present, the Stars are in bottom place on just six points, five adrift of the two teams above them, that is Qormi and Hibernians.

This situation means that today’s game against Qormi is crucial for the Stars. And it is clear that only a victory will keep their hopes of avoiding relegation alive.

The Stars will have to play this match without coach Winston Muscat on the bench. He has been suspended for two matches following last week’s defeat against Hibernians.

The team is now under more pressure as they are forced to win today’s game to remain close to the others.

And it will not be easy. Qormi, in fact, are well aware that they could become more involved in the relegation cauldron if they lose this encounter, but they will have to show much better form and commitment than they did last week against Sliema.

On that day, the yellow blacks were outclassed by the Wanderers who are now sitting pretty and in a very comfortable position.

The Blues, who have shown tremendous progress under new coach Danilo Doncic, will be facing Hibernians on Monday evening in the knowledge that a victory will push them very close to making sure of retaining their Premier League status.

In fact, if Vittoriosa lose today and Sliema win on Monday, then the Blues will need just two points from the remaining four matches to be mathematically sure of saving their status.

The Paolites, encouraged by their 2-1 defeat of Vittoriosa Stars last week, will be hoping to do much better than they did in that disastrous last first phase match where the Blues emerged easy and clear 4-0 winners.

Mark Miller’s boys are aware that a victory for Vittoriosa today against Qormi and a defeat against Sliema for them on Monday will put them back in perilous waters.