The first-round duel between Valletta and Hibs at the National Stadium on Sunday is expected to unfold into a hard-fought, explosive affair as these two modern rivals will be going all out to extend their unbeaten start to the season.

Fate has contrived to lend this match an extra edge as Valletta will eclipse the 37-game unbeaten league record they co-own with Hibs if they manage to take at least a draw from their clash with the Paolites.

This fixture has all the ingredients of a thrilling game of football as the Citizens will be vying to achieve immortality by setting a new record while, on the other hand, Hibs will be doing their utmost to ruin their rivals’ bid.

Valletta will surely take heart from their flawless start to the season but news that striker Michael Mifsud is out for up to four weeks with a hamstring injury has slightly tarnished their optimism.

Midfielder Ryan Fenech is still recovering from a dislocated shoulder but has a chance of making the squad while Brazilian defender Ramon is still sidelined with a groin problem.

Club president Victor Sciriha, the man credited with Valletta’s return to their former glory, is upbeat about his team’s chances of maintaining their 100 per cent start to the season but admitted that injuries are complicating matters for the Citizens.

“The prospect of setting a new record for the longest unbeaten run in the league is a stimulating factor but the only negative point is that we have some injuries,” Sciriha said.

“Michael Mifsud will definitely miss this game and other players are doubtful. It’s a disadvantage for us but I still believe that the players who deputise for the injured ones will do a good job.”

Although Valletta look set for another season of domination, Sciriha has seen enough to convince himself that the race for the Premier League title will not be a stroll in the park.

“The teams are very balanced,” Sciriha said. “Anyone can give you a strong challenge and I think the fight for the title will be quite fierce.”

Hibs’ strong lift-off has given rise to suggestions that they may emerge as serious contenders for the league crown and Sciriha is bracing himself for a difficult match on Sunday.

“Hibs have a valid team,” Sciriha said. “I believe our match against them will be balanced and it will boil down to who performs better on the day.

“That said, I have confidence in my squad and I think we have what it takes to win this game and break the record.”

Sciriha admitted that he didn’t expect Valletta to begin their league campaign in such emphatic fashion after most of the players didn’t have a proper break during the summer.

“To be honest, I didn’t expect us to make such a strong start to the season,” Sciriha observed. “Most of our players didn’t have a rest this summer, particularly those who are with the national squad. I was apprehensive that tiredness might catch up with the team in the opening weeks of the season but it hasn’t been the case.

“I’m satisfied with our performances but we can do even better. We haven’t peaked yet.”

While Valletta have so far justified their billing as favourites to retain the title, Hibs look well placed to recapture their status as top-four challengers.

A positive result on Sunday would further strengthen Hibs’ self-belief with coach Mark Miller acknowledging that the Valletta match is an important test for his team.

“I’m looking forward to the game,” Miller said. “This match will give me a good judgment as to whether we’re good enough or not.

“It’s not simply a question of seeing whether we are capable of challenging for the title, this game will show whether we can compete and cause problems to Valletta.

“If we manage to do that, it will surely stand us in good stead for the rest of the season in terms of pushing us on. It would also give the other teams hope.

“Valletta are good, they have quality but they can be beaten.

“We’re human and anything can happen... it’s not impossible. But, to get a good result against Valletta, we’ve got to be very disciplined and the players must be at their best.

“I believe we have enough attacking power to cause Valletta problems but we also know that they have players who can easily invent something and break the deadlock.”

With three wins and a draw from their opening four games, Hibs have been one of the most impressive Premier League teams this season. Their flying start can only have lifted their optimism ahead of their clash with Valletta.

“The spirit has always been good,” Miller said. “We have been doing a lot of new things in training and the players have been working hard. If you don’t have a good atmosphere, you don’t start.

“We’ve played some difficult teams already and the results have given us confidence but we must be careful because one week is a long time in football. Things can change quickly.

“We were taught a lesson last weekend as we went one goal down against Balzan Youths but the players showed the right spirit and managed to turn it around.

“This season, there are three ways to prepare your team for a game. There is the Valletta match, the dangerous fixtures against the smaller teams like Balzan, Mosta etc and the 50-50 games.

“The Valletta game is a big test for us but if I were a player, it should bring the best out in me.

“They have a strong team, a strong squad but it’s a challenge for the individual players to try and stop them. The team that beat Valletta will be considered as heroes for a week and that’s an incentive for the players.”

Miller shrugged off the hype about Valletta’s record bid.

“I don’t think so,” Miller replied when asked if the record issue could weigh on his players’ minds.

“The record was set in 1983. It was a different era, different times as there was not one team who dominated the league then. Records are there to be broken but it’s not important for this game.

“We just want to keep going and if we get three points or one point, it will be positive for our football club.”

Miller is hopeful of having a full complement at his disposal but Brazilians Marcelo Dias and Rodolfo Soares are still regarded as doubtful.

Muscat set to return for Birkirkara, Tarxien coach Coleiro withdraws resignation

Floriana vs Marsaxlokk (today at 6 p.m., National Stadium).

Floriana are concerned about the fitness of midfielder Pablo Doffo after the Argentine picked up an ankle injury during his team’s 1-0 win over Ħamrun Spartans.

Doffo aside, coach Michael Woods has a full complement at his disposal.

Winston Muscat, the Marsaxlokk coach, has his fair share of problems as defender Clive Brincat must serve the last of a three-match ban while striker Jean Paul Farrugia is out with a hamstring injury.

Captain Carlo Mamo is dogged by a back problem while Malcolm Licari has complained of a knee injury. On the plus side, midfielder Trevor Templeman returns from suspension.

Ħamrun Spartans vs Qormi (today at 8 p.m., National Stadium).

Qormi are expected to field their latest signings, Nigerian striker Daniel Nwoke and Italian defender Federico Mirarchi, in today’s derby against Ħamrun.

Greek defender Christos Karamanolis is out for Qormi as he is set to have knee surgery but Joseph Chetcuti is back in the fray after missing the 4-1 win over Tarxien through injury.

Brazilian midfielder Giuseppe Vela is still sidelined with a knee problem.

Ħamrun are boosted by the return of defender Roderick Fenech who recovered from a shoulder injury but Portuguese midfielder Luis Silva is out with a hamstring injury.

Tarxien Rainbows vs Mosta (tomorrow at 5 p.m., Hibs Stadium).

Noel Coleiro is set to take his place in the Tarxien Rainbows dug-out for tomorrow’s game against Mosta after the long-serving coach withdrew his resignation.

On Wednesday, a group of senior Tarxien players met with Coleiro and it looks like they have convinced him to stay on after he had tendered his resignation in the wake of the team’s 4-1 defeat to Qormi.

The Rainbows are expected to be at full strength as Carl Sammut has shaken off the knock he suffered against Qormi.

Mosta will be without striker Gilbert Martin who has an ankle injury but otherwise coach Oliver Spiteri has a full squad available.

Birkirkara vs Sliema Wanderers (tomorrow at 7 p.m., Hibs Stadium).

Birkirkara are boosted by the return of key midfielder Rowen Muscat for their delicate clash with Sliema Wanderers.

Muscat, who missed the Stripes’ last two matches due to an ankle injury, returned to training this week and is set be included in the team’s starting formation tomorrow.

Shaun Bajada is recuperating from an ankle operation. Birkirkara were in talks to re-sign former defender Nikola Vukanac this week but, at the time of writing, no agreement had been reached.

Sliema coach Danilo Doncic must make do without Danial Mitev, suspended, while Timmy Thomas (foot) and Cleaven Frendo (knee) are out injured.

Balzan Youths vs Mqabba (Sunday at 5 p.m., National Stadium).

New Zealand striker Kris Bright is expected to make his debut for Balzan Youths after signing a deal with the Premier League newcomers this week to replace Hungarian Daniel Sibalin.

Ivan Zammit, the Balzan coach, must cope without defender Jonathan Francica who received a one-match ban after his dismissal in the 3-1 defeat to Hibs last week.

Mqabba, for their part, welcome back Brazilian striker Thiago Mazzitelli who missed the 2-2 draw with Birkirkara through suspension, meaning that coach Clive Mizzi can select his team from a full squad.