Rivals Neptunes Vodafone and Sliema McDonald's are not expected to encounter much trouble to maintain their winning momentum when the BOV Division One championship resumes this weekend.

This evening, the Balluta Bay team, level with the Blues on 16 points from 10 matches, are firm favourites to beat Sirens Ritter Sport who are virtually out of contention for the league title.

Neptunes come into this match in high spirits after a resounding 18-8 victory over San Ġiljan took them three points clear of their neighbouring rivals at the top of the Division One standings.

As the season enters its most crucial phase, Italian coach Paolo Malara will urge his players to stay fully focused as a win today would not only keep Neptunes' title challenge on track, it would also boost their confidence ahead of next week's potentially decisive showdown against Sliema.

Sirens will be looking to restore some lost pride after last weekend's 14-9 upset to Sliema all but ended their championship aspirations for this season.

The St Paul's Bay side will be keen to halt their negative run of late and improve their form ahead of the knock-out competition. Incidentally, Sirens' last victory this summer came against Neptunes last month when they eased past the Reds 9-5.

Sliema have been on fire lately, winning four matches in a row to stake their claim for the league crown.

Sergio Afric's men can only be positive about extending their winning run to five matches tomorrow when they face a San Ġiljan side still in search of their first win in the Division One championship.

San Ġiljan will not be relishing the prospect of facing Hungarian duo Raymond Fodor and Bogdan Rath whose scoring prowess has been crucial for Sliema so far this season.

Programme

Today: Division Two - 6.15 p.m. Exiles vs Otters. Division One - 7.30 p.m. Sirens vs Neptunes.

Tomorrow: Division Two - 5.15 p.m. Marsaxlokk vs Marsascala. Division One - 6.30 p.m. San Ġiljan vs Sliema.