The Malta Football Association yesterday announced the new schedule of matches after the weekend programmes had to be postponed due to damages at the Ta’ Qali National Stadium, Centenary Stadium and Hibs Ground.

Last Sunday’s scheduled matches - Mosta-Hamrun (Relegation Pool) and Balzan Y.-Valletta (Championship Pool) - are now being played today at the Hibernians Stadium commencing at 6pm and 8pm respectively.

Saturday’s scheduled Championship Pool matches - Birkirkara-Floriana and Hibernians-Sliema W. - are now being played tomorrow at the National Stadium, starting at 6pm and 8pm respectively.

The MFA also announced another change. Next Friday’s scheduled matches, that is, Mqabba-Mosta and Balzan Youths-Sliema W. (Championship Pool), have now been moved to Monday 19 March. They are being played at the same venue, that is, the Victor Tedesco Stadium in Hamrun, with the kick-off times being 2pm and 4.15pm respectively.

The real battle for the title therefore starts now at the start of the Second Phase which, in actual fact, started last Friday with two Relegation Pool matches in which bottom placed Marsaxlokk surprised leaders Qormi 1-0 and Tarxien Rainbows overcame Mqabba 1-0.

Today’s programme starts with the Relegation Pool match between Mosta and Hamrun S.

This game is also important for both sides – both need the points to improve their position, especially after last Friday’s victories for Marsaxlokk and Tarxien.

The Championship Pool gets underway today with the second game on the programme - a match between leaders Valletta and bottom-placed Balzan Youths.

Valletta are the overwhelming favourites to beat the Youths to start their run-in for the title on a positive note. And they should not fail to win the three points, even if they were given tough challenges by the Youths in the two first phase matches.

The Youths now have nothing to lose. Their target - avoiding relegation by earning a Top Six berth - has been reached. That seems like a championship winning feat for such a small side.

Tomorrow, the two matches should be keenly contested. In the opening game, Birkirkara face Floriana while in the second match, second placed Hibernians have a tricky encounter against Sliema.

If Valletta, as expected, win today, the Paolites cannot afford to lose any points tomorrow and this is what makes this match very important.

For one has to keep in mind that Sliema are still very much interested in maintaining a top four position which might eventually see them earning a berth in next season’s Europa League.

The match between Floriana and Birkirkara is another match which should be worth watching.

The two teams, together with Sliema, are challenging for possible Europa League places and they would like to improve their position in the standings.

The Greens are boosted by the 1-1 draw against league leaders and great rivals Valletta in their last encounter.

But they will certainly face a tough challenge from Birkirkara who seem to be a rejuvenated side, especially after winning two consecutive games in which they showed they are back on the right track.

Revised programme

Today

Hibernians Stadium: Bank of Valletta Premier Division 6pm Mosta-Hamrun S.; 8pm Balzan Y.-Valletta

Centenary Stadium: Bank of Valletta second division 6pm Siggiewi-Msida SJ; 8pm St Venera L.-Senglea Ath.

Siggiewi Ground: Youth B KO 6pm Marsa-Gzira U.

St Patrick Ground: Youth B KO 8pm Gudja U.-Vittoriosa S.

Luxol Stadium: Bank of Valletta women’s first division 8pm Hibernians-Mosta

Mgarr Ground: Bank of Valletta women’s second division 8pm Mgarr U.-Melita

Zebbug Ground: Bank of Valletta women’s second division 6pm Lija/Iklin-Kirkop U.; 8pm Naxxar L.-Tarxien R.

Tomorrow

National Stadium: Bank of Valletta Premier League 6pm Birkirkara-Floriana; 8pm Hibernians-Sliema W.

Centenary Stadium: MFA Youth League 6pm Valletta-Attard

Charles Abela Stadium: MFA Youth League 8pm St Patrick-Melita

Ghaxaq Ground: Youth B KO 8pm Tarxien R.-St Venera L.

St Lucia Ground: Youth B KO 8pm St George’s-Msida SJ

Siggiewi Ground: Youth B KO 8pm Hamrun S.-San Gwann

Victor Tedesco Stadium: Bank of Valletta women’s second division 8pm Hamrun S.-Zurrieq