Four clubs – Valletta, Hibernians, Qormi and Birkirkara – will be aiming to set the early pace at the top of the standings this weekend.

All four clubs won their opening clashes last weekend and they will be hoping to repeat the dose in this second round of matches, but one of them, Hibernians or Qormi – or both – will be disappointed.

The two clubs face each other in what should be the most intriguing match of the weekend. It is expected to be a close affair even if Hibernians should start as the favourites.

The two teams had a somewhat satisfactory performance in their opening clash last weekend with the Paolites defeating Mosta 3-2 and Qormi overcoming newly promoted Rabat Ajax 1-0.

Looking at the results, both were narrow wins, but both Hibernians and Qormi showed superiority in those matches.

Another match which could be worth watching is the tussle between defending champions Valletta and Mosta.

Valletta started the season with a laborious win against a tenacious Tarxien side. This time they face another difficult hurdle with Mosta providing the opposition.

The Blues failed to reach expectations against Hibernians and disappointed their followers in that 3-2 defeat.

The much-vaunted Mosta side still needs to gel but with players of the calibre of, among others, Obinna Obifuele, Luke Dimech, Justin Haber, Daniel Mitev and Daniel Bogdanovic, they are bound to improve and one may expect them to give the citizens a very good run for their money.

Birkirkara seem to have the easiest match in this round as they face Balzan FC in the final game on the programme tomorrow evening.

The Stripes opened their commitments with an impressive 4-0 win against newly promoted Melita. At present, they seem to have one of the best striking formations in the Premier League and tomorrow, but they will have to do without defender Nikola Vukanac who is still suspended – he will return to the side in the next match.

Balzan opened their commitments with a 2-2 draw against Hamrun last weekend, but they will certainly have to show improvement to be able to hope for a positive result against the Stripes.

Balzan received a setback in midweek when their defender, Renato Conceicao, was suspended for two matches – he was sent off near the end of last week’s 2-2 draw with Hamrun S. He will obviously be missing today’s match.

Today’s first match between the two newly promoted sides – Rabat Ajax and Melita – gives the opportunity for each side to garner their first points.

Rabat lost 1-0 against Qormi while Melita found the going tougher, going down heavily, 4-0, to Birkirkara.

It should be a balanced match as were the matches between the two teams last season in the first division.

Programme

Today

Ta’ Qali national Stadium: Bank of Valletta Premier League 6.30pm Melita-Rabat Ajax; 8.30pm Qormi-Hibernians

Tomorrow

Ta’ Qali national Stadium: Bank of Valletta Premier League 6.30pm Mosta-Valletta; 8.30pm Balzan FC.-Birkirkara.