Early days these may be but this evening’s Premier League match between Valletta and Hibernians already has the feel of a top-of-the-table clash.

Once regarded as ‘friends’, these two clubs have developed a fierce rivalry in recent years. The growing animosity between the two sets of fans was laid bare in season 2008/09 when Hibs and Valletta were embroiled in a neck-and-neck race for the title which went to the wire.

Needing a point to win the championship, Hibs accomplished their mission after holding Valletta to a goalless draw in a last-day showdown.

Last season, Hibs finished a disappointing sixth in the Premier League but they incurred the wrath of the Citizens after surrendering a 4-1 lead in a 5-4 defeat to eventual champions Birkirkara in the final weeks of the campaign.

With the two heavyweights determined to make their mark this season, their first meeting in any competition is bound to capture the imagination of their supporters as well as neutral fans.

Hibs and Valletta will view their direct clash as an opportunity to further underline their bold intentions to challenge for the title after both opened their league commitments on a top note. The Paolites cruised to a 3-1 victory over Floriana while Valletta overcame newly-promoted Vittoriosa Stars 3-0.

“It’s an important game for both teams,” Jesmond Zerafa, the Valletta coach, said.

“Hibs have had an excellent start. There is also a strong rivalry between the clubs but this is healthy for football, provided that emotions are kept in check.

“My players are well-prepared for this match. We need to strive to find a high level of consistency because that is the key to success in football.”

Defender Kenneth Scicluna is still out of the equation for Valletta as he is recuperating from double groin surgery. Midfielder Edmond Agius is expected to be included in the squad as he is close to completing his recovery from a broken foot.

Valletta, billed as the leading candidates for the title, needed two late goals from Ian Zammit and Dyson Falzon, both second-half substitutes, to break down the stern resistance of Vittoriosa Stars on Sunday.

Given the lofty expectations swirling around the big-spending Citizens, the manner of their victory came as a surprise to some but Zerafa declared himself pleased with the team’s performance.

“I was satisfied with our showing against Vittoriosa Stars,” Zerafa remarked. “The first game is always a bit tricky, especially when you’re facing a promoted team. It’s a different situation when you play the same team later in the season.

“Vittoriosa deserve credit because they prepared themselves well for the game. They defended in numbers and this made it difficult for us.

“In football, it’s the result that matters but to achieve the desired outcome, you have to work for it. Our players are aware that they have to make a tremendous effort to succeed.”

Hibs coach Mark Miller reckons that his team must be prepared to work their socks off to stand a chance of upsetting Valletta.

“It’s a huge game,” Miller said. “We have to perform well because we are playing against the cream of Maltese football. Valletta have got the strongest squad and the challenge for us is to do something against them.

“We have to work hard to get a result. The players have trained hard this week to give themselves the best chance of playing well against Valletta. We have no dreams of winning the championship, we will take one game at a time and see where we are at the end of the season.

“We have a very young squad but I still expect us to be among the top teams. Valletta are a step above the rest.”

Invited to explain why he regards Valletta as the best outfit in the league, Miller said: “I know they have an edge over the other teams because of the quality of their squad.

“What happens when you have a squad like Valletta’s is that when you lose a player, you don’t actually lose him because his replacement is equally good and wants to prove himself.

“Valletta are the team to beat, for me they are the Real Madrid of Malta and everyone has to work extremely hard to frustrate them. However, no team is unbeatable.

“I saw their game against Vittoriosa last weekend. Considering they have just come up, Vittoriosa did well against Valletta and also had their moments during the game.”

Miller is expected to field the same team that started the 3-1 defeat of Floriana last weekend. Scottish striker Paul McManus, who scored a brace against the Greens, and English defender Matt Clarke are recovering from a bout of influenza but Miller is hopeful they will be fit to face Valletta this evening.

Jonathan Pearson is still struggling with a hamstring injury and Steve Pisani is sidelined with a muscle problem.

Programme

National Stadium
Today
19.30 Hibs vs Valletta.

Tomorrow
17.00 Vittoriosa Stars vs Qormi;
19.00 Birkirkara vs Floriana.

Sunday
17.00 Ħamrun Spartans vs Tarxien Rainbows;
19.00 Marsaxlokk vs Sliema.