The second day of the local Premier League is being played in midweek - between today and Friday.

This is because the national team will be in action against Norway and Romania away from home next week, therefore giving more time for national coach Ray Farrugia to prepare his squad for those two difficult clashes.

The programme includes a top match tomorrow between Floriana and Balzan - two of the four teams who managed to register a victory on the first day of the competition the past weekend.

In other matches, top clubs like Valletta and Birkirkara will be seeking to redeem themselves after having lost their opening day encounter against Sta Lucija and Floriana respectively. Valletta now face another tough clash against Sliema, while Birkirkara will be playing against Senglea.

Hamrun, Gzira and Hibernians will also be seeking their first victory to remain among the front runners.

Hamrun will be facing Gudja, Gzira take on Santa Lucija and Hibernians meet neighbours Tarxien in the derby.

The other encounter is the northern derby between Mosta and St Paul's Bay side Sirens, the first time ever such a match is being played in the Premier League.

In today's first encounter at the Centenary Stadium, Birkirkara should be considered favourites to beat Senglea who struggled to gain a point - albeit deserved - against Premier newcomers Sirens.

The new-look Stripes of John Buttigieg were somewhat unlucky to have left the field empty handed after their game against Floriana, but will have to produce more punch in front and start scoring the goals that matter to leave an impact on the standings.

Senglea also fielded a new-look side against Sirens, but disappointed their followers with a slipshod display despite earning a point against the St Paul's Bay side.

Hibernians and Tarxien meet in the derby soon after the above mentioned clash.

The Paolites are to be considered hot favourites for their first win of the season. But they will also have to up their level after being surprisingly held to a draw by Gudja.

On their part, Tarxien appeared to be the poorest outfit on the first day of competition. They will have to improve considerably if they are to entertain hopes of avoiding relegation this season.

The Floriana-Balzan clash tomorrow at the National Stadium deserves the biggest attention as it features two of the four teams which collected all the three points from their first match.

It ought to be a close affair with Balzan possessing good punch in their front line and Floriana looking strong in defence.

Quickly following this match tomorrow will be the Sliema W.-Valletta game.

This is a game between two of the four losers on the opening day and therefore one expects both teams to go all out in search of their first win of the new season.

Valletta were certainly stunned by Santa Lucija in a somewhat unexpected 3-2 defeat, while Sliema had to bow their heads to a superior Balzan side which went on to win 2-1.

On Friday, at the Centenary Stadium, Mosta take on Sirens in a northern derby clash.

Mosta had a great start whipping Tarxien to the tune of 4-0 in a rather comfortable victory.

On the other hand, newcomers Sirens also did well to register a positive result, but could only take away a point from their match against Senglea.

In the first match at the National Stadium on Friday, the greatest surprise of the first day, Sta Lucija, take on Gzira in what should be another thrilling encounter.

Against Valletta, the Saints showed they mean business, even if they are Premier newcomers. Some of their foreigners have class written all around them and coach Oliver Spiteri seems to be doing a great job if one has to judge them according to what was seen last weekend.

Gzira dominated their clash against Hamrun but they had to be content with just a point from a goalless draw. Still, it is a match which gives the Maroons an opportunity to get on the winning track.

The Spartans also have the chance to register their first win when they take on another Premier newcomer, Gudja United, in the other match that evening.

After their draw against Gzira, the Spartans will probably have more chance to move forward in search of goal as Gudja might be more intent on defence in an attempt to register another positive result.

In their first match, they held mighty Hibernians to a 1-1 draw and now they will be eagerly looking towards a first ever win in the Premier League.