The Premier League is in for an interesting weekend of football as some important matches are being played in both pools between today and tomorrow.

In the Championship Pool this afternoon, tricky matches face league leaders Valletta and Hibernians who meet Sliema and Birkirkara respectively. Tomorrow, in the Relegation Pool, Hamrun Spartans come up against Qormi while Mosta face Tarxien R.

Although I still consider Valletta and Hibernians to be the favourites to win all the points from their matches this weekend, they will certainly be facing a hard time.

Hibernians meet the rejuvenated Birkirkara side while Valletta come up against an improved Sliema side, though Doncic’s side is expected to be handicapped once again through the absence of some players, especially the suspended Scerri and Eyenga, apart from other injured members in their squad.

Valletta will also have Alfred Effiong, Roderick Briffa and Edmond Agius missing through suspension, but the citizens should not be bothered too much as they have a much bigger squad than the Blues.

In their last encounter, Sliema showed a lot of character to save a point from a 3-3 draw against Balzan, twice coming back from behind to force a draw after having two players sent off.

There is no doubt that the Blues have improved a lot over their first phase performances, but they are still in fifth place, three points behind Birkirkara who, along with Floriana, are contesting berths in next season’s UEFA Europa League.

Valletta will have the advantage of knowing the result of the Hibernians-Birkirkara match and therefore will adopt the necessary measures according to the result they would need.

But in any case, I expect Jesmond Zerafa to instruct his players to go out to collect the three points whatever the result of the Paolites’ match against the Stripes.

Considering the circumstances, I also expect Hibs mentor Mark Miller to instruct his players to go out and make sure of the points as early as possible, even if today’s match is certainly not an easy task.

The Paolites have been passing through a splendid patch and have bridged a six-point gap with the citizens through a run of positive results which have kept them close to Valletta and in contention for the title.

After their 2-0 win against Floriana last week, they now face a Birkirkara side full of enthusiasm and determination.

The Stripes have also showed a lot of progress in their last few matches. Suffice to say that they are well prepared to go a long way towards securing a berth in the Europa League next season – it would be their 16th consecutive year in European football.

Last week’s 1-1 draw against Valletta was, perhaps, their most satisfying result in recent matches, even if it meant only one point. In that match, they showed resilience and also played some good football, giving the leaders a very tough challenge.

I expect them to give Hibernians a similar tough challenge this afternoon as they try to remain firmly in contention for that third (or fourth) place.

Hibernians will sadly miss the league’s top striker Luis Edison dos Santos through suspension. Also missing this match is Birkirkara’s Spanish striker Moises Avila Perez who is also suspended.

In tomorrow’s first match, Mosta and Tarxien will be trying to get back to winning form as they face each other in what seems to be a crucial match.

In fact, in both cases, a victory will lift the winners to a healthy position in the standings, but I expect the two sides to play a cautious game as they are aware that they cannot afford to lose a second consecutive game as it could result in disaster.

In such a scenario I would not be surprised to see the two teams sharing a point each.

Mosta failed miserably in their last encounter against Mqabba when they lost 1-0. They certainly have to lift their standard once again to try and avoid the Drop.

Tarxien were perhaps unlucky to have lost all the three points to Qormi who scored their winner a few minutes from the end.

Both sides will have to show improvement if they are entertaining hopes of winning the three points tomorrow.

Qormi and Hamrun are first and second respectively in the standings and both are coming from victories in their last encounters.

Qormi defeated Tarxien 1-0 last week to consolidate their top spot while the Spartans routed bottom placed Marsaxlokk 6-1.

The Yellow Blacks showed that they had overcome the shock of that 1-0 defeat at the hands of Marsaxlokk the previous week, but they will have to be at their very best to keep the rampant Spartans at bay.

Despite enjoying a good lead at the top, they still cannot be sure of saving their status but they will go a long way were they to win tomorrow. This also applies to the Spartans and that is why I expect the Hamrun boys to go all out for the points as well.

It should be a balanced and keenly fought encounter and I feel the result could go either way.

It is obvious that points are now very important for all teams and that is why these matches must be considered as crucial.