The Bank of Valletta Premier League resumes with the third round of matches between today and tomorrow. Two matches are being played today with the remaining four tomorrow.

The Valletta-Floriana match this evening is perhaps the most important of the lot as it finds both sides on just one point following the opening two matches. Prior to this match, joint leaders Birkirkara will be eyeing a third win on the trot as they meet Naxxar Lions. Tomorrow, the most important clash is the tie between another of the three joint leaders, Hibernians, and Sliema Wanderers. Also it is Qormi-Balzan, Mosta-Zebbug and Tarxien R.-Pieta H.

The Floriana-Valletta clash is al- ways a very interesting clash due to the rivalry which exists between the two neighbours. And this evening’s clash should be no exception considering what happened in the first two rounds of this season’s competition. Both teams have lost five out of the possible six points and it is evident they will be targeting their first win of the season tonight.

It has been a rather unusually disappointing start for Valletta who, after losing the match against Mosta, dropped another two points in a goalless draw against Tarxien Rainbows. Without any shadow of doubt, Valletta cannot afford to miss out once again this evening, especially if Birkirkara take all the three points from their clash with Naxxar Lions.

On their part, the Greens were a completely different proposition on Saturday when they took their first point from a 1-1 draw with Sliema Wanderers. On that day, the Greens showed a vast improvement over the form shown on the first day when they suffered a 3-0 drubbing against Hibernians. Everything points to a keen match which should see both out- fits going all out for victory. In the preceding match, Birkirkara should be considered favourites to beat Naxxar Lions and secure a third consecutive victory. The Stripes have been some- what lucky in the programme. Their opening two wins came against the newly promoted Pieta and Zebbug.

Now they also have a favourable opponent as Naxxar, despite being strengthened from the past season, will still have to be at their very best to gain a positive result against a Stripes team which is playing with a lot of confidence. Tomorrow, the top match is the Hibernians-Sliema clash, the second on the programme at the National Stadium. Hibernians maintained their 100 per cent record with a last gasp goal win against Qormi (2-1) on Sunday evening after playing for most of the match in 10 men. They will now be looking forward to register another win to keep the pace at the top with the other joint leaders, Birkirkara and Mosta, favourites to win their matches. On the other hand, Sliema will certainly be offering strong opposition although they will probably miss the injured Alex Muscat who limped off badly during the match against Floriana on Saturday.

The Qormi-Balzan and Tarxien- Pieta clashes should also be well balanced judging from the performances we have seen so far. Qormi and Pieta were deemed were somewhat unlucky to have lost their clashes against Hibernians and Mosta at the weekend, while Balzan and Tarxien figured in draws, with the Rainbows holding the more illustrious Valletta 0-0.

Mosta should be considered firm favourites to beat bottom placed Zebbug Rangers, but the Blues will have to play much better than they did against Pieta when they were lucky to have emerged with the three points.

Programme Today National Stadium Ta’ Qali: Bank of Valletta Premier League 6.30pm Birkirkara-Naxxar L.; 8.30pm Floriana-Valletta

Tomorrow National Stadium Ta’ Qali: Bank of Valletta Premier League 6.30pm Qormi-Balzan; 8.30pm Hibernians-Sliema W.

Victor Tedesco Stadium: Bank of Valletta Premier League 6.30pm Mosta-Zebbug R.; 8.45pm Tarxien R.-Pieta H.

STANDINGS P W D L F APts

Birkirkara 2 2 0 0 6 1 6

Hibernians 2 2 0 0 5 1 6

Mosta 2 2 0 0 2 0 6

Balzan 2 1 1 0 5 3 4

Qormi 2 1 0 1 2 2 3

Sliema W. 2 0 2 0 2 2 2

Tarxien R. 2 0 2 0 1 1 2

Naxxar L. 2 0 1 1 1 2 1

Valletta 2 0 1 1 0 1 1

Floriana 2 0 1 1 1 4 1

Pieta H. 2 0 0 2 1 3 0

Zebbug R. 2 0 0 2 2 8 0