The first phase of the Premier League comes to an end with this final round to be played between today and next Wednesday.

We already know who will be playing in the Championship and Relegation Pools respectively. But the matches still have their importance as teams will be looking ahead to the second phase in the knowledge that the points will be deducted by half at the start of that phase.

The programme starts today with the Melita-Qormi and Sliema-Balzan matches. Tomorrow, Rabat face Mosta to be followed by the derby between Hibernians and Tarxien R.

The programme will be completed next Wednesday with the Hamrun-Birkirkara and Valletta-Floriana matches.

It is only after those final two matches that we will know exactly how the teams will start the second phase.

The Melita-Qormi match is of utmost importance to Melita who need all the three points badly to reduce the gap between them and the four teams above them in the standings.

The Amateurs still have relatively good hopes of avoiding relegation especially with Hamrun starting in a position which will be within reach. If Melita win today and Hamrun lose to Birkirkara next Wednesday, then the Amateurs will be in a better position as they will start the Relegation Pool one point ahead of the Spartans.

Qormi are assured of starting the Relegation Pool in a comfortable place. If they win today they will start with 15 points and that should be a more than enough gap to play their remaining matches with confidence.

In the second match today, Sliema must beat Balzan to remain in contention for the title.

If new league leaders Hibernians (they won the points of their defeat against Floriana after having a protest upheld by the MFA) win the derby against Tarxien tomorrow, then the Paolites will start the Championship Pool on 24 points. Were Sliema to win today they will start on 19 points, but if they lose they will have 17 points to start with.

Balzan, like Qormi, are in a comfortable position and do not seem to be in trouble even if another three points will continue to give them more confidence for their forthcoming matches.

Tomorrow, in the first match, Mosta will be in the same position as Sliema when they take on bottom placed Rabat Ajax. So they will need to win to remain in contention even if they have already done more than enough by saving their hard won status among the elite.

For Rabat, it is another opportunity to obtain their first seasonal victory. They have gone 21 matches without a win and have collected only eight points. Even if they win, it should remain an uphill struggle to get the required points to save their status.

The derby between Hibernians and Tarxien is certainly the match of the weekend.

With the two teams already assured of their berth among the Top Six, it should be a keenly contested, but entertaining match between the two neighbouring teams.

The Paolites are back on top, one point ahead of Valletta, after winning the protest lodged against the 1-0 defeat by Floriana in midweek.

On the other hand, Tarxien, in fourth place on 37 points, are well aware that another three points will keep them close to the leaders – not only in the chase for the title, but also to retain their hopes of making history by reaching a new target, that is, an Europa League berth.