The Premier Leagues resumes this evening after the festive break with another two matches at the Victor Tedesco Stadium.

In the first match, at 6pm, Balzan face Qormi, while in the other, commencing at 8.15pm, Sliema will be facing bottom placed Rabat Ajax.

The Balzan-Qormi match is certainly awaited by both sides as they still retain some hopes of making it into the Top Six, even if, at the moment, they are distanced seven and eight points away from sixth placed Sliema.

But there are still six matches to go for the end of the first phase and so anything can happen.

Both sides will certainly be looking for a victory which will lift them closer to the Blues, even if the Wanderers should win their match against Rabat later.

Balzan are coming from a 0-2 defeat at the hands of Mosta in their last encounter and they must certainly show improvement if they are to be of any threat to Qormi.

The latter were very impressive in their 4-0 victory against Hamrun Spartans. If Jesmond Zerafa’s boys manage to show the same form today, then Balzan will certainly be facing a very tough time.

The other match offers an opportunity for Sliema to move closer to the leaders. But, of course, they will have to be at their very best to lower Rabat’s colours.

Rabat have improved a lot in this second round, but they are still searching for their first victory in the Premier League.

The Magpies were very close to reaching their aim in their last match which they drew 1-1 with Valletta. The champions only scored an equaliser a few minutes from the end.

Now Rabat will certainly be hoping to hit the target against Sliema.

The Blues were very unimpressive their last match against Melita, and they will have to improve considerably to get the better of the Ajax.