Today and tomorrow will be very important days in the battle against relegation in the local Premier League.

The programme starts this evening when Marsaxlokk will be facing Tarxien Rainbows. Tomorrow, Hamrun Spartans take on Mqabba while in the final match, Mosta come up against Relegation Pool leaders Qormi.

Also on the programme is today’s encounter between neighbours Birkirkara and Balzan Youths from the Championship Pool.

This match is of major interest to the Stripes who aim to overtake Floriana once again into third place after the latter beat Sliema on Saturday to go on 27 points. Birkirkara have 26 points with today’s match in hand.

Balzan have proved to be tough opponents for all teams, except Valletta who beat them 7-2. That was a match which Balzan seem to have forgotten and one expects them to offer decent opposition to the Stripes despite their lack of interest in the proceedings.

Birkirkara will obviously go all out to get the three points. Out of the FA Trophy, they are now basing their hopes for an Europa League berth next season through a third place in the League.

In the Relegation Pool, Tarxien have what seems to be an excellent opportunity to improve their position considerably vis-à-vis the other teams involved in the struggle when they face luckless and bottom placed Marsaxlokk.

At present, Qormi lead the Pool on 21 points. Second are Hamrun on 20 followed by Mqabba and Mosta on 16 points, Tarxien Rainbows on 15 and Marsaxlokk on nine.

In today’s match, Tarxien will be expected to go all out for the three points. They should be considered firm favourites to collect the three points against the beleagured Marsaxlokk side which seems to be the first team destined for the Drop.

Tomorrow, Hamrun and Mqabba meet in what I consider as the most important clash.

For the Spartans, it is an opportunity to almost make sure of their place in next year’s Premier League. In fact, a victory will put them seven points clear of their opponents.

But it will not be easy as Mqabba will not be throwing in the towel quickly. After their recent 3-0 win against Marsaxlokk, Mqabba then suffered defeat at the hands of leaders Qormi. Now they need another win to regain confidence and morale for their remaining matches.

A victory tomorrow against Hamrun will certainly enable them to move a step closer to safety, although everything will still have to be played for in the second round.

The same might be said for the Mosta-Qormi match – the second on the programme tomorrow. The difference is that Qormi enjoy a five-point (not four) lead over Mosta although a defeat will again put them in the fray.

The Yellow Blacks had to dig deep to overcome Mqabba in their latest match while Mosta outplayed Marsaxlokk and returned to victory with a 5-1 drubbing of their opponents.

It was a much needed win for Mosta who had won only one point from their opening three matches in the Relegation Pool.

Qormi, on the other hand, are also aware that a victory will push them closer to safety and, as such, they should be expected to give their all in an effort to collect all the three points.