Strengthening their status as leaders in the Premier League standings will be Hibs' top priority tomorrow as the in-form Paolites take on Floriana in the closing match of the weekend programme at their home ground in Corradino (kick-off: 3 p.m.).

Hibs are currently the form team of the division, winning seven of their last eight matches. Their only blip in that fine run was against nearest rivals Valletta (0-2) who they currently lead four points better off albeit having played a game more.

Mark Miller's team, however, face a tricky task when they host a Floriana side at the Hibs Ground. The Greens are lately blowing hot and cold with some impressive displays interluded by poor outings against weaker opposition.

Both teams come into this match on the back of comfortable victories with Hibs steamrolling past their rivals from the south Marsaxlokk, 4-1, as Floriana came from behind to beat Qormi 3-1.

This result, however, is subject to a pending protest which is expected to drag longer than expected to allow a forensic expert to check on the transfer documents of Floriana newcomer Paolo Rogerio Da Silva. Qormi are contending the signatures are not authentic.

Hibs' healthy position in the table should be attributed to their scoring exploits, mainly. They are the leading scorers in the league - 38 goals from 15 matches - with the attacking tandem of Terrence Scerri (the current top scorer with 13 goals) and Andrew Cohen contributing half of their team's tally.

Cohen told The Times that the match against Floriana had double significance for his team.

"We have a score to settle with Floriana," Cohen said.

"In the first round they beat us 2-1 so now it's payback time. Besides, we will be after maximum spoils as victory will guarantee us top position for another week.

"It's not going to be easy though. Floriana have a valid squad in my opinion. However, looking at our current form and the quality we have, we should feel confident of winning this match."

Hibs coach Mark Miller will have to wait for tests on the fitness of Rumen Galabov, Clayton Failla and Aaron Xuereb.

Jonathan Caruana is highly doubtful as he is down with 'flu.

For Cohen, 2008-09 has been rather a stop-start campaign.

He had high hopes of starting with a clean bill of health way back in summer but his optimism was shattered when he sustained a groin injury. It took him more than two months to recover but after his return, Cohen learned that he required surgery to cure a nagging hernia problem.

However, these setbacks now seem to be a thing of the past for the 28-year-old who has slowly rediscovered his best form as he leads Hibs' charge towards a 10th title.

"This season has been quite difficult for me," Cohen said.

"I played very little during the first round but now I'm nearing my best form. My partnership with Terrence has been superb and I'm glad we have done so well.

"Not many people are giving us a chance but we have a lot of belief and self-confidence. Surely, we can become champions come next May."

While Cohen and Scerri are banging in the goals for Hibs, the main source of inspiration up front for Floriana comes from Ryan Darmanin. He scored some crucial goals this season as the Greens did well to achieve their top-six objective.

One of Darmanin's seven goals in the league this season came against Hibernians.

"There's very little pressure on our shoulders and that makes us play better," Darmanin said.

"With a place in the Championship Pool secured, our sights are firmly set on a strong position at the start of the second phase. We have already beaten Hibs once this season. So, I cannot see why we cannot do it again."

Floriana coach Antonio Carlos Vieira is still without midfielder Mauro Brincat but otherwise he has a full complement at his disposal.

The Greens are also expected to give a debut to new goalkeeper Steffen Suessner. The German signed for the rest of the season.

Darmanin, 23, is one of the brightest prospects in the local game. He dropped a clear indication on where his ambitions lie and intends to fulfil his dream in the near future.

"Floriana were my nursery club and my dream is to win a major honour in the green shirt," Darmanin declared.

"We have a very young team coming up and some of the lads are indeed promising. Our first objective is to play in Europe and to do that we have to finish in the top four.

"Victory over Hibs will be a good start towards reaching that target."