This weekend sees the end of the first phase in the Bank of Valletta Premier League and not all is known yet as to the start of the Championship and Relegation Pools.

At present, what we actually know about the Championship Pool is that Valletta, Hibs and Floriana will start in first, second and third places. Sliema and Birkirkara have also made sure of their berth but it is still to be determined whether it will be fourth or fifth place for them. The final berth is to be decided today according to the results of the matches involving Balzan and Qormi.

The two clubs are still in the running with the Youths enjoying a two-point lead over Qormi before today’s matches.

In the Relegation Pool,one of these two clubs will eventually join Mosta, Mqabba, Hamrun, Tarxien and Marsaxlokk in the competition to determine who will play first division football next season.

As can be seen from the above, the main interest this weekend focuses on the two matches at the Hibs Stadium and the Victor Tedesco Stadium, both of which are to start at the same time, that is, at 4.15pm.

Of course, the two clubs will be well versed in what is happening at both venues, but it is evident that they will not be resting on what the other is doing – they will definitely be going all out to get the points, especially Balzan, who know that a victory will land them with the Top Six.

A draw might also be good for them, but if Qormi win their clash against Marsaxlokk, then, in that case, a decider will become necessary between the two teams.

If the two teams lose, then Balzan will go through, but if Balzan lose and Qormi win, the Yellow Blacks will earn their Top Six berth, as they will overtake the Youths by one point.

That is how important these two matches are today for these two clubs.

Their opponents, Marsaxlokk (v. Qormi) and especially Tarxien (v. Balzan) will also be looking to get as much points as possible to be able to start the second phase (Relegation Pool) in a healthier place.

Marsaxlokk are already assured of starting that Pool in bottom place, while the Rainbows can improve their position with a victory, in the hope that the teams above them lose weekend their clashes.

It must be mentioned that the points achieved by all the clubs at the end of this first round, will be deducted by half at the start of the Championship and Relegation Pools.

League leaders Valletta will face third placed Floriana in the city and suburban derby tomorrow. As usual, this clash will be expected to be fiery because of the great old time rivalry that exists between the two clubs.

However, this time round, the citizens are enjoying a 13-point lead over their rivals and that might mean we might have a different story even if the champions would like to maintain their present six-point lead over Hibernians, who are favourites to beat Mqabba in today’s first clash at the Hibernians Stadium.

If Valletta win tomorrow’s derby and Hibs also win today, then we will be guaranteed a two-horse race for the title with the citizens starting the Championship Pool with a three-point lead over the Paolites.

If Floriana lose today and Birkirkara and Sliema win their clashes at the weekend, then the Greens might expect a tough challenge for the third place which this year offers an Europa League berth for next season. In such a scenario, the three clubs will only be separated by three points at the start of the Championship Pool.

At the weekend, Sliema have a tricky encounter as they will be meeting Mosta who have made a vast improvement since the end of the first round of the first phase.

In fact, Mosta are considered as the revelation side now and they will be aiming for the points in the hope of starting the Relegation Pool with a good gap over the other clubs in their battle against relegation.

Birkirkara are to face Hamrun Spartans in the remaining match at the weekend.

But while the Stripes will be looking for revenge over their elimination from the FA Trophy by the Spartans, the latter will be looking to obtain the points that matter which will be considered valuable at the start of the Relegation Pool.