Top-of-table clash between Valletta and Floriana is weekend highlight

● Four derbies this weekend: VallettaFloriana; Hibs-Tarxien; Sliema-Gzira; Mosta-Naxxar ● Joint leaders Balzan meet Senglea ● Tough match for bottom club Lija against Hamrun

This weekend promises more excitement in the Bank of Valletta Premier League as the programme features no fewer than four derbies – Valletta-Floriana, Hibernians-Tarxien Rainbows, Mosta-Naxxar Lions and Sliema Wanderers-Gżira United.

At present the situation, when the first round is nearing its end, shows Valletta, Gzira and Balzan leading the way with 24 points, followed by Floriana on 23, Hibernians on 21 and Sliema on 20.

Valletta’s goalless stalemate against Ħamrun Spartans last Sunday meant that they lost the sole leadership of the Premier League.

It was a second successive draw for Valletta which left them level with Balzan and Gżira United on 24 points, only one ahead of Floriana who maintained their unbeaten run with a 1-0 victory over Old Firm rivals Sliema Wanderers.

That victory for the Greens confirmed that Giovanni Tedesco’s side has all the ingredients to continue challenging for this season’s title.

As already stated above, only four points separate the top six teams and this shows that this first 14-team Premier League ought to become a pulsating race not only for the title but also for top-four positions and the relegation issue.

In fact, even at the other end of the standings, it is obvious that five teams are still more or less involved in the relegation battle.

Senglea Athletic, St Andrews, Tarxien Rainbows, Naxxar Lions and Lija Athletic are separated by only four points.

The top clash will certainly be the Valletta-Floriana city and suburban derby and this match – tomorrow at the National Stadium – should attract a large crowd.

The expectations are high for both teams with the citizens hoping to beat their rivals to stay top and bounce back from back-toback goalless draws.

Floriana, the only unbeaten side so far this season, will overtake their rivals in the standings if they take the three points tomorrow. Even the other derbies should be keenly contested.

The surprise of the season, Gzira United, occupying such an exalted position, should be able to offer a strong challenge to Sliema who faltered against Floriana, although the Wanderers are still within reach of the leading teams.

Joint leaders Balzan are favourites to win again, this time against Senglea Athletic. And if so, they could become the new leaders if Valletta and Gzira fail to win all the three points from their clashes.

Hibernians should continue where they left off against Birkirkara last week and should be considered firm favourites to beat struggling neighbouring rivals Tarxien Rainbows.

Another interesting clash should be the Mosta-Naxxar encounter. Mosta are now occupying a mid-table position but Naxxar will certainly be hoping to be luckier than they were in their recent encounters.

Bottom club Lija Athletic have a tough match ahead of them when facing the enthusiastic Hamrun Spartans. The Athletic missed out on a three-pointer last week when they suffered a late equaliser against St Andrews – a result that kept them in bottom place.

The Malta Football Association has announced the following seating and traffic arrangements for the two BOV Premier League matches – Tarxien Rainbows-Hibernians (kick-off 2pm) and Valletta-Floriana (4pm) – being played at the National Stadium, Ta’ Qali, tomorrow.

The fans of Tarxien Rainbows, Hibernians and Floriana are encouraged to make their way to the National Stadium from the Mosta area (Durumblat Road).

The Valletta supporters are encouraged to pass through Attard or the Crafts Village area to reach the National Stadium.

The following allocation of stands was decided by draw in the presence of representatives of the four clubs involved in Sunday’s matches.

Today CENTENARY STADIUM

SIDE A: Lija and Senglea SIDE C: Hamrun and Balzan

HIBERNIANS STADIUM

SIDE A: Sliema and Naxxar SIDE C: Gzira and Mosta

Tomorrow NATIONAL STADIUM

WEST A: Floriana and Tarxien WEST C: Hibernians MILLENNIUM D: Valletta MILLENNIUM F: Nursery and family stand