The prospect of wrapping up their first title in seven years in their match against bitter foes Floriana will act as a spur for leaders Valletta in their clash with Birkirkara this evening at 8.

Five points to the good at the top before the start of Premier League action on Saturday, Valletta's title chances have increased after Marsaxlokk, their nearest rivals, slumped to a 1-0 defeat to Sliema Wanderers. Marsaxlokk's upset means that a win for Valletta today would take them eight points clear with only three matches left.

In the capital, the euphoria elicited by the team's title march has already gripped their passionate fans but Birkirkara will be eager to dampen their rivals' joy today in what promises to be an intriguing encounter.

Up to nine days ago, Birkirkara were widely perceived as having a chance of mounting a come-from-behind bid for the title and though their prospects have diminished after their upset to Sliema, they are still regarded as one of the strongest teams in the Premier League.

With the Wanderers showing signs of resurgence after back-to-back victories, Birkirkara need to take the three points to leapfrog Marsaxlokk into second place and consolidate their chances of a top-three position.

Paul Zammit, the Valletta coach, is braced for a stern challenge from Birkirkara.

"The Birkirkara-Valletta fixture is undoubtedly one of the highlights of the local football calendar," Zammit told The Times. "Our three encounters with Birkirkara this season have all been tight and fiercely-contested. I've got the utmost respect for Birkirkara as a team.

"The result of the Marsaxlokk-Sliema game on Saturday has given our meeting with Birkirkara added weight because we both need the points for different reasons. Victory for us would virtually seal our title objective but Birkirkara will want the three points to go second and stay well clear of Sliema."

Zammit will name his strongest formation as he has a full squad at his disposal. Captain Gilbert Agius is set for a return to first-team duties after suspension kept him out of the 4-2 win over Ħamrun Spartans.

Although Marsaxlokk's loss last weekend has eased the pressure on Valletta, Zammit's appreciation of today's match has not changed.

"We've got four matches to go and the one against Birkirkara is one of them," Zammit stressed. "I described our 10 Championship Pool matches as 10 finals and nothing has changed, even if there's no denying that we're in a strong position at the moment.

"There's no point isolating this match from the rest because we still have some way to go to reach our target. I'm convinced that the match against Birkirkara is going to be very hard. If we're not at our best, we'll suffer but I'm confident that we're well prepared for the upcoming battle."

The stakes would have been higher this evening had Birkirkara not lost to Sliema and kept their deficit with Valletta to four points but that is not to say that the Stripes have nothing left to play for at this stage.

Mindful of Sliema's revived charge for a top-three position, John Buttigieg, the Birkirkara coach, wants his team to beat Valletta and restore their five-point gap on the Wanderers.

"Sliema have been making up ground on the top three positions lately," Buttigieg said. "We need to beat Valletta and re-establish the gap.

"Birkirkara-Valletta has an extra edge because of the rivalry between the fans but we're approaching it in the same way as we do for the other matches."

Midfielder Adrian Ciantar is still recovering from injury but otherwise, Buttigieg has no selection problems.

Birkirkara had been unbeaten in six matches before going down 2-1 to Sliema. That defeat will have left the players and fans with a bitter taste as their title chances suffered a body blow but the team's performance has given Buttigieg cause for optimism ahead of their tiff with the leaders.

"Before the game against Sliema, we were close to Valletta and there was a belief among several people that Birkirkara were still in the title race," Buttigieg said.

"We lost against Sliema but I was satisfied with the team's performance. At 1-1, the players continued to believe that they could score the winner and it's because they were so willing to push forward that we conceded a second goal. Their commitment was excellent."

Results so far: Valletta vs Birkirkara 1-0, 2-1, 1-1.

Msida St Joseph vs Hibs (National Stadium, today at 6 p.m.).

Hibernians and Msida St Joseph will set the ball rolling today when they clash for the fourth and final time this season.

The level of expectancy for this match is depressingly low as the relegation issue is virtually done and dusted. Hibernians have long made sure of their top-flight status while Msida St Joseph are almost there, needing only a point to accomplish their survival mission. Only a collapse of cataclysmic proportions can put Msida's status in jeopardy as they lead second-from-bottom Pietà with nine points with only three matches left.

With nothing to play for bar pride, Hibs coach Robert Gatt is expected to give his fringe players a run-out today and in the remaining games.

Msida coach Patrick Curmi is likely to name his strongest team but he cannot bank on midfielder Adrian Farrugia, suspended, and Andrew Spiteri, injured. Pio Sciriha is set to return for the Saints after missing the 3-1 victory over Pietà a week ago.

Results so far: Hibs vs Msida SJ 4-0, 0-2, 3-0.