The Premier League enters its second round of matches this weekend with four matches being played today and another two tomorrow.

There are two ‘big’ matches as the so-called top clubs will have a tough time as champions Birkirkara face Sliema Wanderers today while Valletta will take on Hibernians tomorrow.

It seems to be an exciting weekend as there are other matches which could provide entertainment to the local football followers.

Also today, Qormi will play against Naxxar Lions, Balzan face Rabat Ajax and Floriana meet Tarxien Rainbows. In tomorrow’s other match, Mosta will be facing Vittoriosa Stars.

The interest will, however, revolve mainly around the two matches involving the winners of the first round matches, that is, Birkirkara, Sliema, Valletta and Hibernians.

The match between Birkirkara and Sliema today should be a balanced match. We have already been able to gauge the Stripes after their early season matches.

We can safely say that they will definitely be among the front runners once again this season with their squad having been strengthened considerably.

On their part, the Wanderers left a very good impression in their demolition of Qormi. It was the perfect start for the Wanderers who must also be conjuring dreams of an eventful season, possibly also being among the frontrunners till the end.

In their opening matches, the Stripes had former Valletta striker Frank Temile in fine form scoring two good goals. But the same can also be said of Sliema’s Ohawuchi and Navarra, both of whom scored a brace in that comfortable 4-0 win against Qormi.

The Citizens also appeared to be a very strong outfit in the first half against Mosta. But after having Edmond Agius dismissed, they surrendered some territory to their opponents and despite remaining the better team, they were stretched till the very end by their inferior opponents.

Against Hibernians, it will certainly be a different story as the Paolites must be considered as a much stronger side than Mosta.

Hibernians, however, had to wait deep into added injury time in the second half to take the three points from their derby match against Tarxien Rainbows.

There is no doubt that new coach Branko Nisevic was happy to have left the Stadium with full points, but his boys will have to show improvement if they are to produce a positive result against the Citizens.

The match between Qormi and Naxxar Lions is one that offers both teams the chance to register their first victory of the season.

Qormi must improve beyond recognition after their 4-0 drubbing against Sliema but against newly promoted Naxxar, perhaps, it might be a different story.

The Lions, on their part, were somewhat impressive in their 1-1 draw against Floriana and could have also snatched the three points near the end.

The Balzan-Rabat and Floriana-Tarxien matches should also be worth watching.

They are expected to be balanced encounters judging from what we have seen in their opening encounters.

In tomorrow’s final match on the card, Mosta and Vittoriosa will also be searching for the first victory.

Mosta, as was widely expected, were gunned down by Valletta in their first outing while Premier newcomers Vittoriosa almost pulled off a win against Balzan who only scored an equaliser in the final moments.

The Victor Tedesco Stadium at Hamrun will once again be in use after having some sectors renovated. In fact, there will be two matches being played there this evening.