The Bank of Valletta Premier League enters the fourth round of matches this weekend, following the stoppage for the two World Cup qualifiers.

Two matches will be played today – Naxxar-Tarxien and Balzan-Sliema. Tomorrow there will be the following four matches: Hibernians-Rabat Ajax; Qormi-Valletta; Floriana-Vittoriosa  and Mosta-Birkirkara.

At present, Hibernians lead the standings on maximum points – nine. They are followed by Sliema and Birkirkara with nine each, Valletta and Mosta on six, Naxxar and Balzan on four, Qormi and Tarxien three, Vittoriosa S. one, Rabat zero and Floriana -6 points.

It is evident that Hibernians have a good chance to maintain their triumphant march at the top. When they face modest Rabat Ajax, they should look towards registering a fourth consecutive win, thus maintaining their perfect start to the season.

So far, the Paolites have done well, first to conquer Tarxien, then Valletta and lately Vittoriosa Stars. They have showed they are once again a strong side and it will be an arduous task for the Ajax to try and lower the colours of the Paolites – certainly the team to beat at present.

Rabat have had a somewhat difficult start losing all their three matches and it all points to a repeat of last season when they struggled hard to obtain points in the first round.

Sliema also seem to be a strong side this season and if they manage to land the services of Michael Mifsud – rumours are rife that a deal is expected in the next few days – then they must be considered as one of the great favourites for the title this season.

The Blues, however, will have to show much more consistency than they did last season.

Today, they will have to fight hard to win the three points against Balzan who made champions Birkirkara sweat hard to get the three points two weeks ago, succumbing to defeat with two late goals after having led for most of the time with an early goal.

Birkirkara, like Sliema, are on seven points, two behind Hibernians, and they must be expecting another strong challenge, this time from a Mosta side which is bubbling with enthusiasm after registering two wins from their opening three matches.

The Blues had lost their opening match narrowly against Valletta, but then beat Vittoriosa and Rabat comfortably to move alongside Valletta on six points in the standings.

Valletta will also be looking forward to remain on the winning track when they face a revived Qormi side.

The citizens are fresh from their impressive 3-0 derby win against Floriana and will certainly show no mercy towards Qormi even if the latter obtained their first win and points of the season in a 6-2 defeat of Tarxien Rainbows in their third encounter.

The yellow reds had started the season on a poor note conceding two defeats at the hands of Sliema and Naxxar.

The Naxxar-Tarxien clash this afternoon could be one of the most balanced and entertaining matches this weekend.

The Rainbows were not expected to be humiliated as they were by Qormi in their last match and will therefore be expected to try and regain their confidence by defeating the newly promoted Lions.

On the other hand, Naxxar suffered their first defeat in their last match against Sliema and will now be looking forward to return to winning form and winning precious points in their quest to avoid relegation.

The match between Vittoriosa Stars and Floriana is between two teams who are desperately seeking points near the bottom end of the standings.

The Greens have to find ways and means to win two matches as quickly as possible to erase the seven point deficit imposed by the MFA for failing to make payments to clubs and players.

After their opening three matches, the Greens have only reduced that by just one point and will now be hoping that they will be able to defeat the Stars to see their points total changing to the better.

As for the Stars, the newly promoted club is finding the going somewhat hard among the elite. They have collected just one point from their opening three matches and that is a source of worry for the team which had salvation as its target at the start of the season.

The following is the full weekend programme

 

Today

Ta’ Qali national stadium: 5pm Naxxar L.-Tarxien R.; 7pm Balzan-Sliema W.

Tomorrow

Ta’ Qali national Stadium: 5pm Hibernians-Rabat Ajax; 7pm Qormi-Valletta.

Victor Tedesco Stadium: 5pm Floriana-Vittoriosa S.; 7.15pm Mosta-Birkirkara.

 

Other divisions get under way today

The other divisions - first, second and third - get under way this weekend with the opening  matches of the respective competitions.

This season, for the first time, 14 teams will be playing in the first division which should be closely contested.