Champions for the past two seasons, Valletta are fancied to complete a treble of titles but Hibs’ current status as Premier League leaders has heightened hopes of an absorbing race for the championship crown.

Two points clear at the top, this afternoon Hibs will be going all out to underline their credentials and inflict more misery on the beleaguered Citizens.

Although it’s still early to talk of showdowns, given the two-tier, points-halved format of our championship, this clash has taken on added significance, especially for Valletta who are hoping to launch a revival at the start of a new year after gaining only one win in their last eight league outings.

To improve their chances of retaining the title, Valletta have fine-tuned their squad with the likes of Jason Lee Vandelannoite, formerly of Hibs, Luke Dimech and Senegalese striker Demba Toure, all expected to make their debut today.

Valletta coach Mark Miller is backing his team to show their true mettle.

“We’ve got to try to win the game,” Miller said.

“We have to show our dominance and that we are better than Hibs. They (Hibs) have set the bar high and we have to raise it. We have the players who can do that.

“The president (Victor Sciriha) has done everything he could to refresh the squad. Winning three leagues in a row is not easy. Trying to do it with, more or less, the same team is not easy either but it’s my job to motivate the players and get the best out of them.”

Despite the availability of three new signings, Miller is still hampered by the absence of some key players.

Goalkeeper Manuel Bartolo begins a two-match ban after his sending-off in the 1-1 draw against Rabat, Dyson Falzon is out with flu and Shaun Bajada is doubtful.

Defender Steve Borg is facing another six to eight weeks out to heal a knee problem while striker Michael Mifsud has yet to fully recover from groin trouble.

Miller believes that the Christmas break has benefited Valletta.

“It has allowed us to get some of our injured players back,” the English coach said.

“We’ve spent four days in Gozo last week, we worked hard in training and played two good matches on grass.”

Hibs coach Michael Woods reckons today’s game is not a title decider.

“It’s an important game,” Woods said.

“Our objective was to take points from our games against Birkirkara (0-0) and Valletta as in the first round we lost both. Valletta have made some notable additions but this match is not crucial because it will not decide the title.”

Woods can’t name his best team as Brazilian forward Marcelo Dias is suspended. The Hibs coach is also concerned about the fitness of a host of players who have been sick this week, including talisman Andrew Cohen and Clayton Failla. Defender Jonathan Pearson is out with a knee injury.

After seeing his team bounce back from a poor run in October, Woods is confident that Hibs can maintain their title challenge.

“In October, we dropped points while Valletta and Birkirkara kept going but in the last two months, the situation has been reversed,” Woods said.

“As Valletta have been through a bad patch, a win for us would give us a psychological edge but they will surely do their utmost to start the year on a better note.

“With regards to our chances, I believed right from the start that we could challenge. I think we have a very competitive team and we’ll fight for the title.”

First round: Valletta vs Hibs 1-0.

The other matches

Ħamrun vs Melita (today 2pm, National Stadium).

Buoyed by their positive results of late, Melita will be bidding to improve their salvation hopes when they meet third- bottom Ħamrun who have lost their last seven league games.

Stefan Sultana, the Reds coach, must make do without goalkeeper Andrea Cassar and striker Terence Vella, both suspended, while Massimo Grima is a doubt as he has been unwell.

Ħamrun have parted with Bulgarian players Lyubomir Vitanov, Anton Vergilov and Angel Yoshev but agreed terms with French striker Loic Lumbilla.

Yesterday, the Spartans were still waiting for the international transfer certificate of Lumbilla who started his career at Inter.

Melita have signed Spanish striker Jorge Veloso who replaces the departed Jovan Vukanic.

Julian Galea is out with a broken arm while Nigel Rizzo and Michael Valenzia are suspended.

First round: Ħamrun vs Melita 3-1.

Floriana vs Mosta (tomorrow 2pm, Hibs Stadium).

Mosta will make a significant step towards securing a top-six berth if they beat a Floriana side who will be seeking to boost their own Championship Pool hopes.

The Blues have been weakened by the departures of Dimech and Ousseni Zongo.

Goalkeeper Justin Haber will make his final appearance for Mosta tomorrow as he has reportedly agreed a move to Birkirkara following talks between the two clubs last night.

Obinna Obiefule had a trial with a foreign club this week but he’s expected to be available for this match. Steve Bezzina, Jonathan Bajada and Firas Aboulezz are injured.

Floriana also have their fair share of selection problems. Ryan Darmanin and Mark Spiteri are still not 100 per cent fit while Portuguese midfielder Valdo Alhinho left the Greens after accepting an offer to play in the Angolan league.

Tyrone Farrugia, a target for Mosta, is expected to be available for Floriana.

First round: Mosta vs Floriana 3-1.

Birkirkara vs Tarxien (tomorrow 4pm, Hibs Stadium).

Title hopefuls Birkirkara will be bidding to return to winning ways after four consecutive draws. They meet an in-form Tarxien side who are on course to qualify for the Championship Pool.

Paul Zammit, the Birkirkara coach, must check on the condition of Gareth Sciberras, Edward Herrera, Rodrigo Pereira and Shola Haruna while Brazilians Jhonna-ttann (suspended) and Joselito (injured) are out of the equation.

Tarxien have completed the signing of Leandro Almeida da Silva, the Brazilian striker formerly of Valletta.

A new Brazilian midfielder, Marco Tulio Lopes Silva, is also expected to make his debut but Serbian defender Branislav Timotic, who has joined the Rainbows on loan from Sliema, is not available.

Defender Ryan Sammut must serve a one-match ban while Carlo Mamo (groin) and Karl Pulo (knee) are sidelined with injuries.

First round: Birkirkara vs Tarxien 4-1.