As the Bank of Valletta Premier League is nearing its end – this weekend will be the 21st of 26 programmes – it is evident that leaders Balzan will be eyeing another win against Gzira United on Monday to move closer to their first ever title win.

That match is the most important of the weekend in the top section of the competition, but at the other end, there is also the direct clash between Naxxar and St Andrews.

With four clubs also involved in the battle for the third place, this is turning out to be a very interesting issue as all these four clubs are eyeing a berth in next season’s Europa League – even if Birkirkara also still have a chance to do that by winning the FA Trophy.

At the bottom end of the standings, with Lija almost certain to be relegated, Tarxien, Naxxar and St Andrews are all battling to avoid the Drop. Only one point separates the three clubs and that should guarantee an intense battle till the very end.

The other matches at the weekend are Birkirkara-Lija, Floriana-Mosta, Tarxien-Valletta, Hamrun-Senglea and Hibernians-Sliema.

As already said, the Balzan-Gzira match next Monday is the most important encounter of this 21st round.

It is evident that Balzan will be after another win, but Gzira cannot be ignored. At present, Balzan lead on 45 points, three ahead of second placed Valletta. Birkirkara and Gzira follow on 38 points. This situation means that if Gzira beat Balzan, the League issue will be opened wide as also Birkirkara and the Maroons will get involved with five more matches still to be played by each club.

Both teams have the advantage of knowing the results of the matches being played today by Valletta and Birkirkara and that will certainly provide them with more motivation towards their aims.

Balzan have deserved the league leadership, simply because they have been the most consistent side throughout the competition. Suffice to say that they suffered only one defeat in 20 matches, losing only to St Andrews on 25 August of last year – a very impressive run.

Second placed Valletta and the other third placed team, Birkirkara, should be considered firm favourites to win all the three points when facing teams from the bottom end of the standings.

Valletta must beat Tarxien Rainbows today to join the leaders temporarily and put pressure on Balzan in view of next Monday’s match.

The citizens have not been very impressive and, apart from the 3-0 win against bottom club Lija, they seem to be finding it rather hard top score the goals that matter.

In their most recent matches, they figured in three 1-0 wins, a 1-1 draw and two goalless draws.

Tarxien are certainly aware that they will be facing a most difficult task, but lately they have shown some improvement and managed to win five points from their last three matches which gave them fresh hopes in their battle against relegation.

Birkirkara should have little difficulty in disposing of the challenge of bottom club Lija Athletic.

It is evident that there is a big gap between both clubs and the Stripes will certainly be eyeing a return to victory after their goalless draw with rivals Valletta.

Hibernians and Floriana cannot afford to drop more points if they are to continue challenging for the third place. Both clubs are out of the FA Trophy; so the third place is their only hope of reaching European football next season.

Hibernians seem to have the most difficult task as they face Sliema while Floriana should be able to garner all three points from their clash with 9th placed Mosta.

The St Andrews-Naxxar clash is the other important game of the weekend – a direct relegation encounter.

At present, St Andrews have a one-point advantage over Naxxar and Tarxien. Three points at this stage should prove to be very important for the winners.

The other match at the weekend sees Hamrun taking on Senglea Athletic. It seems as if this game lacks in importance, but Senglea, although they lie seven points above the relegation zone, are not yet completely sure of safety.

I expect them to continue battling for points in their quest to maintain their elite status at least for another season.