The BOV Premier League returns this weekend after a two-week break – the first match of the 24th round between Senglea and Mosta was played on Friday evening.
Everything is still up for grabs with the title race a tight and open affair as only one point separates leaders Balzan and second-placed Valletta with Gżira United a further six points back with only three matches remaining.
Balzan face relegation strugglers Tarxien Rainbows on Saturday while Valletta seem to have a more difficult match against Ħamrun Spartans on Sunday.
The race for a top-three finish and a guaranteed spot in the Europa League is also wide open. Apart from Gzira, who are still involved in the title race, Birkirkara fourth on 44 points, Floriana fifth on 41 and Hibernians and Sliema Wanderers level on 39 points, are also involved in a tough battle as even the 4th place might mean entry into next season's Europa League, depending mostly on who will win the FA Trophy.
Birkirkara and Hibernians go head to head on Saturday, Sliema Wanderers renew their old rivalry with Floriana while Gżira take on struggling Naxxar Lions.
The relegation issue is also touch and go as, apart from bottom side Lija Athletic who are all but doomed, only two points separate Tarxien, St Andrews and Naxxar with Mosta and Senglea also needing a few more points to assure themselves of remaining among the elite.
The last two teams in the standings at the end of the BOV Premier League championship are relegated while the third-from-bottom plays off against the third-placed team in the BOV First Division.
As already said, the championship race is mostly restricted to Balzan and Valletta, the latter just one point adrift of the leaders. But one cannot ignore Gzira - at least till the end of this round - as they are still within striking distance. Their chances, however, are very remote.
Balzan might face some tough resistance by relegation-haunted Tarxien Rainbows, but I firmly believe, the League leaders will be in no mood for mercy and I expect them to go all out to make sure of a further three points in their quest for a first ever title win.
If Balzan, as widely expected, win on Saturday, then Valletta cannot certainly falter on Sunday when they face Hamrun Spartans who might prove to be difficult opponents.
The citizens failed to show any sparkling form throughout the season, but for most of the time, they have been consistent with their positive results and remained close to the leaders all the time.
The Maroons' main interest is possibly the 3rd place which guarantees its occupant a berth in the Europa League. At present, with three more matches to go, they seem to be favourites, but 4th placed Birkirkara are just one point behind them and Floriana are also within reach, three more behind the Stripes. If Hibernians and Sliema lose their respective matches this weekend - against Birkirkara and Floriana - the battle for the third and fourth places will become a three-horse race. On the other hand, if Hibernians and Sliema win, then the situation becomes even more complicated.
The Floriana-Sliema "Old Firm" partners match is of interest to both clubs, but especially to Floriana. This is simply because the Greens are out of the FA Trophy and their only chance to play in Europe next season is via a 3rd or possibly a 4th place in the League.
At the bottom end of the standings, apart from Lija, who are already relegated, there are still three teams fighting it out to avoid the 13th place (that means automatic relegation).
At present, 11th placed Tarxien lead the trio on 18 points, St Andrews are 12th on 17 while Naxxar Lions are 13th on 16.
This weekend, St Andrews seem to have the best chance to collect points - possibly all three - as they face the already relegated Lija.
Remaining matches for all clubs
Balzan: Tarxien R, Senglea Ath., Hibernians.
Valletta: Hamrun S. Floriana, Gzira Utd.
Gzira U.: Naxxar L., Sliema W., Valletta.
Birkirkara: Hibernians, St Andrews, Hamrun S.
Floriana: Sliema W., Valletta, Lija Ath.
Hibernians: Birkirkara, Tarxien R., Balzan.
Sliema W.: Floriana, Gzira U., Mosta.
Hamrun S.: Valletta, Lija Ath., Birkirkara.
Senglea Ath.: Mosta (played Friday), Balzan, Naxxar L.
Mosta: Senglea Ath (played Friday), Naxxar L., Sliema W.
Tarxien R.: Balzan, Hibernians, St Andrews.
St Andrews: Lija Ath., Birkirkara, Tarxien R.
Naxxar L.: Gzira U., Mosta, Senglea Ath.
Lija Ath.: St Andrews, Hamrun S., Floriana.
First Division
FIVE CLUBS TARGETING PROMOTION
It's all to play for in all the other divisions of the BOV Football Leagues as the 2017/18 season enters the home straight.
In the First Division FIVE teams are fighting for promotion.
Qormi missed the chance to all but seal promotion after going down 1-0 to Żejtun Corinthians last weekend, a match that drew a sizeable crowd to the Centenary Stadium.
Nevertheless, Qormi are still well-placed to secure top spot and promotion as they lead Pietà Hotspurs - 2-0 winners over Sirens on Monday - by four points with three matches remaining.
Żejtun have now moved into third place on 44 points to boost their play-off chances with Mqabba and Żebbuġ Rangers within touching distance on 42 and 41 points respectively.
On Saturday, Żejtun will be involved in a direct clash with Mqabba and Pietà meet Żabbar St Patrick, still involved in the relegation battle. On Sunday, Qormi meet Vittoriosa Stars.
Further down, Rabat Ajax have already been relegated as they only have five points while Melita, who drew 2-2 with Vittoriosa Stars on Monday, face an uphill struggle to retain their status as they trail Żabbar St Patrick by five points.
As in the top flight, the two bottom teams are automatically relegated and the third-from-last will set up a play-off against the third-best team in the next division.
Second Division
FIVE TEAMS CHASE PROMOTION
In the BOV Second Division league, the promotion race is likely to go down to the wire as only six points separate the leading five teams.
Swieqi United lead the way with 43 points, followed by Gudja United who face relegation-threatened St George's on Tuesday evening, level on 42 points with Sta Luċija.
Fgura United, who play Kalkara in Tuesday's second match at the Centenary Stadium, have 40 points, three more than Siġġiewi.
Swieqi United face Gudja United in a top-of-the-table clash on Sunday.
In the bottom part, Għargħur have been relegated while Attard (13) and St George's (12) are involved in a two-way fight to avoid the second relegation spot with the winner of this race facing the third-best team in the Third Division in another winner-takes-all play-off.
Third Division
MELLIEĦA, STA VENERA VIE FOR TITLE
In the BOV Third Division championship, Mellieħa and St Venera Lightnings are fighting for the title. They are level on 47 points ahead of their direct encounter at the Luxol Stadium on Saturday.
Xgħajra Tornadoes currently hold third place and a play-off spot on 41 points but Kirkop United, two points behind, are still in with a chance.
Further down, Ta' Xbiex and Marsaskala, level on eight points, are battling to avoid finishing last.
