The battle for domestic supremacy returns to the top of the football agenda this weekend following the international pause.

Champions Valletta resume their title defence bid with a stern test against Birkirkara this evening at the National Stadium (kick-off 5 p.m.) in the stand-out fixture of the Premier League programme.

Enriching the allure of today’s game is the return of Paul Zammit to the helm of Birkirkara as the meticulous coach will be plotting the downfall of his former club in his first official game since taking over from Patrick Curmi earlier this month.

Valletta and Birkirkara were under pressure to get back to winning ways in their final game before the international break after both had dropped points in their previous outings.

The Citizens bounced back from their 2-0 defeat to Hibs with a hard-fought 4-2 success over Mqabba while Birkirkara attained their first win in four matches with a 2-1 defeat of Marsaxlokk.

Jesmond Zerafa, the Valletta coach, believes that this clash with Birkirkara could bring the best out of his players.

“Players of a certain calibre all like to be involved in these kind of games,” Zerafa told The Times.

“They are used to playing in such matches and we all know that Valletta-Birkirkara is one of the top fixtures in our calendar.

“We want to achieve a high degree of consistency and I’m confident that my players will be up for the task. There’s always pressure before a match like this but after the Hibs defeat, this is the game everyone wants to be part of.”

Captain Gilbert Agius and midfielder Ryan Fenech are still suspended but Steve Borg is back in the frame after serving his one-game ban following his dismissal in the fiery game against the Paolites.

Striker Michael Mifsud is also expected to return for Valletta after making his comeback from a hamstring injury in Malta’s 2-0 defeat to Israel. Defender Jonathan Caruana was also deemed fit to start Malta’s midweek qualifier but he came off in the closing stages with a tight hamstring.

The sight of Caruana leaving the pitch on Tuesday will have concerned Valletta but he has reportedly declared himself fit to face Birkirkara today.

The participation of Mifsud and Caruana in the Israel game will not have gone down well with Valletta but Zerafa was more incensed by the MFA’s handling of the fixture schedule.

“I’m very disappointed,” Zerafa said.

“We do our best to look after our players. We rest those who are injured but then a national team game comes and they play.

“I understand the players. They try to honour their obligations towards club and country. Valletta supply virtually half of the national squad and for those who figured in the last two qualifiers, the game against Birkirkara will be their third in the space of nine days.

“Personally, I think this is unfair on our club.”

Birkirkara trail Valletta by five points after losing two of their first six matches but Zerafa is not reading much into their results.

“In the first two rounds, there is pressure on many teams to make the top six,” Zerafa commented.

“Birkirkara will again be difficult opponents but this game will not decide the title as it’s still early.

“I expect Birkirkara to be thereabouts when crunch time comes but Valletta will also challenge for the championship.”

Since his appointment as Birkirkara coach, Zammit has focused mainly on implementing his plans vis-a-vis training methods, schedules and venues.

“Most of my work was centred on restructuring the training programme,” Zammit said.

“Every coach has his ideas regarding training methods and I’ve been discussing this with the players and technical staff.

“I’ve adopted all that I had in mind thanks to the co-operation of everyone in our fold. The players have been very receptive.

“I’ve told them that one of the main reasons that brought me back to Birkirkara was the strength of the squad. I believe in these players and our task is to maximise their potential.”

Birkirkara faced Marsaxlokk against a backdrop of reports that Zammit had all but agreed to replace Curmi, who had been dismissed in midweek, but the former was officially unveiled two days after the game, which the Stripes won 2-1.

“My discussions with Birkirkara started in the week of the game against Marsaxlokk,” Zammit said.

“That match was important for all of us. I was satisfied with the commitment of the players and the backing they gave to Peter Pullicino (assistant coach).

“The most important thing for Birkirkara was to get the three points and they achieved that. Now we have to look at the roads ahead of us.”

Birkirkara endeavoured to strengthen their rearguard this week as they signed Dragan Perisic.

The Serbian defender, who had a spell with Ukrainian club FC Metalurh Zaporizhzhya, is expected to make his Birkirkara debut this afternoon.

Nikola Vukanac had also been linked with a return to Birkirkara but he was unfortunate to suffer an injury soon after rejoining the Stripes for training.

Malta midfielder Shaun Bajada has stepped up his rehabilitation from ankle surgery but is still out while right-back Angus Buhagiar is doubtful after pulling a hamstring.

With Valletta regarded as the strongest team in the league, Zammit couldn’t have begun his second spell with Birkirkara with a stiffer test but he is relishing the challenge.

“I’m used to it,” Zammit said.

“I’ve been involved in many Birkirkara-Valletta games in the last six years. Everyone is aware of their potential, even though they have some players missing for this game.

“This is the first match of a new chapter for us. This game is about ourselves, not the opposition. Although we can’t ignore the fact that we’re playing Valletta, we’re thinking about us, that’s our priority.”

Other matches... Karamanolis faces long lay-off, Spartans receive Shields boost

Qormi vs Mqabba (today at 3 p.m., National Stadium).

Qormi will be bidding to extend their positive run against Mqabba who produced a plucky display in their 4-2 defeat to Valletta.

Stephen Azzopardi, the Qormi coach, can’t rely on Greek defender Christos Karamanolis who is facing five months on the sidelines after undergoing knee surgery. Brazilian Giuseppe Vela is still injured while keeper Matthew Farrugia is doubtful.

Jonathan Bondin has made good progress in his recovery from hamstring trouble and could join the team but Belgian defender Jason Lee Vandelannoite, who has yet to feature for Qormi this season, is out of the reckoning after a 28-day suspension by the club.

Mqabba coach Clive Mizzi has his fair share of selection problems too as Andrew Scicluna will miss the rest of the season with a cruciate injury and Mauro Bonnici is out with a facial injury.

Ryan Sammut is struggling with muscular problems and James Paris has decided to take an indefinite break from the game.

Tarxien vs Marsaxlokk (tomorrow at 3 p.m., National Stadium).

This is a clash between two teams in the bottom part of the table.

Noel Coleiro, the Tarxien coach, has a full complement as Orosco Anonam and Justin Grioli return from suspension.

Brazilian midfielder Roberto Saraiva is also fully fit after recovering from a slight injury.

Marsaxlokk, who have yet to elect a new president to succeed Robert Micallef, will be without on-loan striker Jean Paul Farrugia.

There are also doubts over Trevor Templeman’s availability for this game as the midfielder has not trained regularly this week.

Ħamrun Spartans vs Sliema Wanderers (tomorrow at 5 p.m., National Stadium).

After gaining their first victory of the season at the expense of Mosta, Ħamrun hope to make it two on the trot when they take on the unbeaten Sliema Wanderers.

Scottish forward Dene Shields is in line to make his first appearance this season after rejoining the Spartans earlier this month.

Ħamrun coach Jesmond Zammit is concerned about the fitness of Roderick Fenech who is rated as doubtful.

Sliema, who drew 1-1 with Balzan in their last match, must make do without strikers Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza (hamstring) and Timmy Thomas (groin).

Coach Danilo Doncic is keeping his fingers crossed that Rumen Galabov, Clifford Gatt Baldacchino and Ryan Grech will be available after all three complained of nagging injuries during the week.

Mosta vs Hibs (Monday at 6 p.m., Tedesco Stadium).

Hibs are favourites to extend their unbeaten start when they meet lowly Mosta in the first league game at Ħamrun this season.

Brazilian defender Diego Balbinot is sidelined with a quad injury while Tristan Caruana and Bjorn Kristensen returned from Malta U-21 duty carrying slight injuries.

On the plus side, Adrian Pulis returns for Mark Miller’s team after seeing out his one-match ban.

Mosta have released Argentine Rivellino Petriaggi who is now playing for Gozo’s Għajnsielem.

Coach Oliver Spiteri is still without striker Gilbert Martin who tore his ankle ligaments in the 1-1 draw with Balzan.

Floriana vs Balzan Youths (Monday at 8.15 p.m., Tedesco Stadium).

Both teams featured in 1-1 draws in their last outings as Floriana were held by Qormi and Balzan shared the spoils with Sliema.

Michael Woods, the Floriana coach, has no selection problems for this game.

Balzan’s Brazilian playmaker Pedrinho must serve the second of a two-match ban and Aaron Agius is out after suffering an injury during training.