The Bank of Valletta Premier League moves into its final run-in with the start this weekend of the second round of the Championship and Relegation Pools.

In the Championship Pool, leaders Birkirkara will be seeking to at least maintain their two point lead over Valletta, while in the Relegation Pool, the battle remains interesting - more than ever before - with five teams still very much involved.

In the Championship Pool, Birkirkara lead with 38 points, followed by Valletta on 36, Hibernians 33, Sliema and Mosta 27 and Balzan 14.

In the Relegation Pool, Floriana and Tarxien lead with 21 points, followed by Qormi and Naxxar on 17, Vittoriosa 14 and Rabat 4.

Apart from the race for the title, in the Championship Pool we have a battle royale for the third and fourth places. They both mean an Europa League berth next season. Six teams separate third placed Hibernians, on 33 points, from Mosta and Sliema who have 27 each. With all direct matches still having to be played, everything may yet happen with the Paolites also involved in the title race, especially if the two front runners slip up.

Birkirkara today face bottom placed Balzan and are firm favourites to return to winning form after their goalless draw with Valletta last Sunday.

The Stripes should prove to be too strong for Balzan who, however, could be a tricky opponent for any team on their day.

A victory for the Stripes will put pressure on Valletta tomorrow as they face Sliema Wanderers.

The Blues will have to face this match without their prolific striker Stanley Ohawuchi who is suspended, but the fact that they need the points for that Europa League berth (if they lose to Valletta in the Trophy final they will not be considered as finalists), then I expect them to show a lot of fighting spirit, relying mainly on veteran striker Ivan Woods who is still providing the Blues with a valid contribution.

Valletta were again unimpressive last Sunday against Birkirkara even if they managed to earn a point from a goalless draw.

In that match, the Stripes were in full control, especially in the first half, and it seemed evident that the City side had something missing, especially in midfield. It was here that the absence of Dennis dos Santos was certainly felt.

The other match in the Championship Pool between Hibernians and Mosta is very important for both sides.

Mosta certainly need a win to keep their hopes of making their debut in European football next season, while the Paolites are also in search of another three points, not only to confirm their recent revival, but also to consolidate their third place in the table.

Branko Nisevic’s boys know that the third or fourth place in the League is the only assurance for Hibs for a place in European football next season via the Europa League.

The Paolites cannot yet be ignored in the race for the title. There are only five points separating them from leaders Birkirkara with a whole second round (five matches) still to be played.

In the Relegation Pool, there is also a situation where all depends on the direct clashes. In fact, all of this week’s matches can be considered direct matches, but victories for Floriana and Tarxien will definitely lift them very close to safety.

Defeats for the two teams, against Qormi and Vittoriosa respectively, mean that the battle will tighten further as the gap in points will be reduced.

The Floriana-Qormi clash should be a keenly contested encounter. As already said, for the Greens, it is imperative to win the three points to set their minds almost at rest, while for the Yellow Blacks it is an opportunity to move further up the table.

The same can be said of the Tarxien-Vittoriosa clash where Tarxien, the most in form team in the Relegation Pool at the moment, will make a bold step towards safety with a victory, while for the Stars, they need a win badly to keep in close contact with the teams above them.

Naxxar seem to be the best placed club to win the three points as they face the hapless Rabat who have only garnered one point so far in the Relegation Pool, ironically, against today’s opponents.