The Bank of Valletta Premier League is back in action today and tomorrow with a midweek programme that includes a much awaited top clash between leaders Hibernians and second placed Valletta.

The programme also includes another top clash between Birkirkara and Mosta, while Sliema and Floriana will be seeking to extend their run of consecutive wins from two to three – they will be facing Qormi and St Andrews respectively.

Balzan also hope to extend their unbeaten run as they face Pembroke today, while in the other match, Naxxar Lions will be doing their utmost to obtain their first point/s of the season when facing Tarxien Rainbows.

The top clash is tomorrow’s encounter between Hibernians and Valletta.

The Paolites returned to the top spot on Sunday evening taking full advantage of Valletta’s bad slip against Balzan the day before.

In fact, after City’s unexpected defeat at the hands of Balzan, Hibernians did well to get the better of their neighbours Tarxien in the derby.

This match should be quite tight and one expects to see the champions going all out to extend their lead at the top. But the citizens will not be staring at them either.

After their defeat against Balzan, they will be hoping to get back on track as quickly as possible – a second defeat in a row could see their morale at a low ebb even at such an early stage in the campaign.

Balzan, who have had an impressive start with two wins and two draws, will now be facing newly promoted Pembroke and seem to have much more talent to outgun their opponents.

Having beaten none other than Valletta in their last match, Oliver Spiteri’s side should find little difficulty in disposing of a Pembroke side which apparently lacks much needed experience.

Birkirkara face a Mosta side which was unable to keep its unbeaten record intact the past weekend, losing 1-2 against Sliema after having led 1-0 at the interval.

The Blues will obviously be eager to return to winning form, but the same applies to the Stripes who, after beating Pembroke easily 4-1, should be considered as favourites to clinch another three points.

As already said, Sliema and Floriana seem to have a pretty good chance to adding another three points to their tally by registering a third consecutive victory.

Sliema will be facing Qormi and even if the latter seem to have recovered after their comfortable (first) win against St Andrews, the improved Wanderers team should be able to win the clash.

The same must be said about Floriana who face St Andrews. The latter, like Naxxar, still have to win their first point/points of the season.

It is obvious that the Greens will start as hot favourites to win a further three points.

In the final match on the programme tomorrow, Naxxar Lions will be eager to snatch a point of the three of them from their match against Tarxien in an effort to start moving away from bottom place.

They have had a very tough start losing all the four matches, but against Tarxien, it is not going to be an easy task.

The Rainbows were outfought by the champions in last Sunday’s derby despite the narrow 1-0 scoreline. Against the Lions, they will certainly entertain more hopes of a victory.

Programme

Today

Victor Tedesco Stadium: Bank of Valletta Premier League 6pm Balzan-Pembroke Ath.; 8.15pm Birkirkara-Mosta

Tomorrow

Hibernians Stadium: Bank of Valletta Premier League 6pm Naxxar L.-Tarxien R.; 8pm Sliema W.-Qormi

Ta’ Qali national stadium: Bank of Valletta Premier League 6pm Floriana-St Andrews; 8pm Hibernians-Valletta