The 'warm-up' phase of the 2008 BOV National League comes to an end this weekend when the final matches from the preliminary round are played at the Tal-Qroqq National Pool.
For the first time since the start of the 2008 season, matches will be played on Saturday and Sunday as the Aquatic Sports Association (ASA) elected to do away with Friday action for this weekend.
After tomorrow's fixtures, the big guns will be separated from the rest as the top four teams in the standings will contest the Division One league and those behind them will take part in Division Two.
The race for one of four berths in the proper Division One league has already been decided as, apart from the usual trio of Sliema McDonald's, Neptunes Vodafone and Sirens Centro Casalinga, San Ġiljan Tropicana Juices are already assured of a place among the elite.
The Saints, who meet Sliema this evening, lead Exiles Elle-Et-Vire by two points.
San Ġiljan have four victories from their first six matches but they have not gained a single point from their clashes with the country's top sides after suffering identical 11-7 defeats to Sirens and Neptunes. The Saints' chances of improving that record this evening are slim as they must contend with high-flying Sliema, the only team with maximum points so far.
Last week, Sliema extended their perfect start to six matches after a 13-9 win over Sirens. The St Paul's Bay outfit will be looking to bounce back from their first upset of the season but they face another difficult obstacle in the shape of Neptunes who are level on 10 points with Sirens in second place, two behind leaders Sliema.
Neptunes had the better of neighbours San Ġiljan in their last outing but their win came at a cost as their leading scorer Steve Camilleri dislocated one of the fingers in his right hand and could be out for up to six weeks.
The remaining three matches this weekend are between teams who failed to make the cut for Division One.
Marsaxlokk Freeport are odds-on favourites to ease past Otters in today's opening match but the second fixture, between the erstwhile disappointing Marsascala Ocean and Sky and Exiles should be a more balanced affair, although the latter start as favourites to add to the six points they have gained from their opening seven matches.
Marsaxlokk will be in action again tomorrow when they take on Ta' Xbiex Mermaids Paradise.
Programme
Today: 4 p.m. Otters vs Marsaxlokk; 5.15 p.m. Marsascala vs Exiles; 6.30 p.m. San Ġiljan vs Sliema.
Tomorrow: 5.15 p.m. Ta' Xbiex vs Marsaxlokk; 6.30 p.m. Neptunes vs Sirens.