The pace-setting trio at the top of the standings, Hibernians, Valletta and Birkirkara, will be seeking their fifth consecutive victory this weekend as the competition enters its fifth round.

The programme starts today at the Victor Tedesco Stadium with the matches between Floriana and Rabat Ajax, followed by the Birkirkara-Sliema clash.

Tomorrow, at Ta’ Qali national stadium, Balzan take on Hibernians and that will be followed by the encounter between Mosta and Qormi.

On Monday, also at the national stadium, Tarxien Rainbows face Melita in the opener with Hamrun Spartans facing Valletta in the final match on the programme.

Once again it seems as if Birkirkara have the most difficult match of those being played by the leading trio.

Although their opponents, Sliema, are placed at the lower end of the table, it is obvious that the Blues are quite a strong side which is capable of toppling any opponent on its day.

They left their followers bitterly disappointed in their last encounters which they lost 0-2 to Mosta and 1-2 against Qormi.

The side needs a morale-boosting result but they are aware that they will be facing one of the teams most in form at present.

Birkirkara are passing through a very bright patch and it is evident that they have enough talent and power to challenge for the title till the very end this season.

The Stripes have already dismissed previously unbeaten Floriana in the last round. Now it is the other member of the ‘Old Firm’ that will be facing them today. Will Sliema receive the same treatment?

Hibernians and Valletta should be considered firm favourites to win maximum points from their matches against lowly placed Balzan and Hamrun respectively.

The Paolites have also started the season on a high note – they are the leading top scorers with 13 after just four rounds. They are followed by Valletta on 12 and Birkirkara are third on 11.

Against Balzan, Hibs should not find difficulty in securing the three points.

The same may be said of Valletta’s match on Monday against Hamrun. The citizens are back from their friendly against Al Ahli in Tripoli where they lost 4-3.

Valletta should prove to be too much for the Spartans who have had a very disappointing start to the season with their last match showing their shortcomings in a heavy 4-1 defeat at the hands of Mosta.

The latter seem to be finding their feet after a very shaky start. Two successive wins after two opening defeats have catapulted them into fourth position on six points, and although a full six points behind the leaders, there is still a long way to go.

The Blues can make it a third win in a row tomorrow when they face Qormi, but the latter are also enjoying the same exalted position as their opponents – on six points.

It should be one of the most balanced matches this weekend and the result could go either way.

In today’s first match, Floriana will be trying to return to winning form when they face winless Rabat Ajax.

The Greens were overpowered by Birkirkara in their last match which they lost 3-0.

Now they face newly promoted Rabat who are still searching for their first win. The Magpies have been somewhat unlucky in their opening four matches from which they have collected just one point.

On Monday, Tarxien also have a good chance of securing a second win on the trot when they face bottom placed Melita.

The Premier newcomers provided champions Valletta with a partial fight last week, succumbing only in the latter stages of the match, that is, in the second half.

The Rainbows did well to beat Balzan by the odd goal in three in their last match – their first win this season -, albeit with a very late goal, but they are well aware that this match offers them the opportunity to move further up the standings.