Valletta have no shortage of rivals as, in the past three decades, Ħamrun Spartans, Birkirkara and, most recently, Hibs have come to regard the Citizens as their chief sporting adversaries.

But ask any City fan to name their greatest antagonists in football and the majority, if not all, would reply Floriana.

The same applies to the Greens as the geographical proximity of the two clubs has intensified the rivalry between the two sets of fans along the years.

Today, Valletta-Floriana (5 p.m., National Stadium) will take centre-stage as the two football heavy-weights meet for the first time in the 2011/12 league season.

With only two points separating them, expectations of a hard-fought derby are high as both the Whites and the Greens are determined to secure bragging rights besides consolidating their positions in the fledgling standings.

Victories in their last outings ensured a tranquil build-up for both as Valletta edged out Birkirkara 2-1 and Floriana had the better of Balzan Youths 3-1.

Valletta coach Jesmond Zerafa declared himself satisfied with his team’s preparations.

“The Birkirkara win was almost crucial as it lifted the players ahead of this match,” Zerafa said.

“A victory always helps to alleviate the pressure and I must say that we had a very good build-up, also because we had all our players available for training.

“This match brings about great anticipation because of the rivalry between the two clubs... it’s always like a cup tie. Both teams will be motivated to win. It’s a difficult game but we’re well prepared.”

Widespread forecasts of another season of Valletta domination have failed to materialise so far as the champions are four points behind early pacesetters Hibs, albeit with a game in hand. Zerafa dismissed suggestions that this situation has complicated matters for his team.

“There’s no extra pressure on us because Hibernians are on top,” Zerafa said.

“We have to win our games and move on. It’s still too early to draw conclusions from the classification.”

Captain Gilbert Agius is back in the frame for the Citizens but midfielder Ryan Fenech must serve the final of a three-game suspension. Ramon is still out of the equation.

Michael Woods, the Floriana coach, said the derby is the first of three top-notch fixtures for the Greens.

“Our consistency level has been good so far,” Woods said.

“We have three difficult games coming up, starting with this one against Valletta (the next two are against Birkirkara and Hibs).

“Valletta are strong in each department, particularly up front. We have a difficult task on our hands but it’s not impossible.”

Although today’s match is not a decisive one, Woods still reckons it is a “big test’ for his players.

“It’s a derby and there’s always great enthusiasm,” he said.

“After finishing second in the league and beating Valletta in the FA Trophy final last season, our supporters expect more from the team.

“The game is important for both teams, especially as we are close to each other in the standings. It’s not a decisive match but the outcome could show us how far we’ve come. It’s a big test.”

In their last meeting, the season-opening BOV Super Cup clash, Valletta outclassed their rivals, beating them 3-0. Floriana, however, improved significantly after that as their tally of 16 points from seven games shows.

“We had some confusion over our foreigners then,” Woods said.

“Since then, we’ve added new players to strengthen the squad and we’ve been playing better.”

Woods also thinks that Valletta have yet to match the standards of last season when they won the league without conceding defeat.

“In my opinion, they have not attained the level of performance they reached last season so far,” Woods said.

“The upset to Hibs hit them badly but they are still the strongest team in the league.

“You always expect Valletta to create chances from open play but against Birkirkara, they scored their two goals from set-pieces. It means that opponents now have to be even more careful not to concede goals from set-play when facing Valletta.”

Tarxien vs Balzan (today at 3 p.m., National Stadium).

This is a clash between two struggling sides as Tarxien and Balzan are languishing in the bottom half of the table. Both teams are coming from defeats as Tarxien went down 4-2 to Marsaxlokk and Balzan lost 3-1 to Floriana.

Chief striker Daniel Mariano Bueno is suspended for the misfiring Tarxien Rainbows while Karl Sammut has been unwell during the week.

Balzan must make do without Clifton Ciantar, suspended, but playmaker Pedrinho returns from a two-game ban.