The battle for berths in next season’s Champions League and Europa League berths resumes this weekend as the Bank of Valletta Premier League has entered the end of the first round (Championship Pool).

As to the Champions League, it is almost certain that Valletta will be representing Malta. They have a nine-point lead with six matches remaining.

But nothing is yet settled as to who will be representing Malta in the Europa League. One of those will be the runners-up in the league, but if those two teams are in the FA Trophy final, then it will probably the third placed in the League to make it to the Europa League.

So the battle continues to rage between four clubs (at present) though even sixth placed Hamrun can still re-enter the fray.

At present, Birkirkara occupy second place on 21 points, Floriana follow on 20, Tarxien have 19 points and Marsaxlokk 18. It is a very interesting and complicated situation which should guarantee an exciting end to this year’s competition.

The weekend programme started yesterday evening with the relegation pool clash between Hibernians and Vittoriosa Stars.

Today the programme starts with another relegation pool match – Sliema-Qormi – quickly followed by the Marsaxlokk-Hamrun encounter.

Tomorrow, Birkirkara face Floriana while in the remaining match, leaders Valletta take on Tarxien Rainbows.

The match of the week should be the Birkirkara-Floriana match tomorrow where the Greens will be going all out to get the three points and overtake their rivals in second place.

The Stripes, however, have shown a lot of improvement in recent matches after some disastrous performances and Paul Zammit’s side may even be happy to emerge from this match with a draw that will enable them to maintain their second place at the start of the final round.

Also tomorrow, Valletta could move much closer to the title if, as expected, they beat Tarxien Rainbows.

The citizens can play with tranquillity in the knowledge that they can still afford to lose two or three matches and remain on top, but they will not be conceding anything to their opponents.

The citizens are intent on making this season a memorable one, not only by winning the title – possibly unbeaten – but also by winning the FA Trophy as well.

In fact, it is Tarxien who will be under pressure to win at least a point in the hope of remaining in touch with the teams above them in the battle for an Europa League place.

Noel Coleiro’s side is aware that a defeat today will kill most of their hopes, especially with their next match being a direct encounter against Birkirkara. But that is still one more week away.

In today’s other match, it is a sort of final chance for the two teams, especially for the Spartans. Of course, much will depend on the outcome of tomorrow’s Floriana-Birkirkara match, even if there is still a whole round of matches to be played.

But if the gap continues to widen then it will become more difficult for those chasing the teams above them.

For Qormi and Sliema facing each other in today’s relegation pool match, it is a meaningless match. They have no further interest this season – they have also been eliminated from the FA Trophy.