The Bank of Valletta Premier League’s last round is this week spread over three days.

There will be an opening encounter today – Tarxien R.-Marsaxlokk – which is absolutely insignificant as the status of the two teams for next season is already known. Another four matches will be played tomorrow – Birkirkara-Balzan and Mqabba-Hamrun at the Hibs Stadium and Floriana-Sliema and Qormi-Mosta at the National Stadium. On Saturday, there will be the final encounter between Valletta and Hibernians, following which Valletta will be presented with the Championship Trophy.

Today’s match will see Marsaxlokk saying ‘addio’ to the Premier League after a very controversial year which saw them in a bad financial position, leading to the loss of several players … and points. From these columns we wish them a quick return among Malta’s elite clubs.

Tomorrow, it is possible to have a decision as to who will be joining Marsaxlokk in next season’s first division. It will be either Mosta or Mqabba. At present Mosta enjoy a three-point lead over Mqabba and the Blues seem to be the favourites to retain their Premier status.

For Mqabba, their match against Hamrun is a must-win game in the hope that Mosta lose against Qormi for a decider to become necessary to determine the outcome.

But Mqabba will have to field a depleted formation as they have four players suspended – Pierre Grima, Ryan Sammut, Kristian Calleja and Mario Borg. Together with Sliema’s Nikola Bogdanovic they were all suspended for one match yesterday by the MFA’s Disciplinary Commissioner.

After their runaway 5-0 win against Marsaxlokk the past weekend, Mosta will be looking forward with optimism to earn at least a point – it will be enough – against Qormi.

It will also be an opportunity for striker Obinna Obiefule to continue increasing his tally of 31 goals so far to try and beat Danilo Doncic’s record of 32 goals.

Otherwise, the other issue still to be determined this weekend is third place. It will be either Birkirkara or Floriana. The Stripes are enjoying a two-point lead over the Greens at present.

Today

Centenary Stadium: 7pm Tarxien R.-Marsaxlokk

Tomorrow

Hibernians Stadium: 6pm Birkirkara-Balzan Y.; 8pm Mqabba-Hamrun S.

National Stadium: 6pm Floriana-Sliema; 8pm Qormi-Mosta.