This evening's crunch match between Sliema Wanderers and Marsaxlokk heralds the start of match-day four from the 2008/09 BOV Premier League campaign.
So far, we've had a quiet start to the season with none of the main contenders showing the kind of consistent play expected from the usual front-runners.
No team boasts a perfect record after three matches. Surprisingly, the unfancied Hibs are sole leaders in the standings with seven points as the team from Paola are looking to stabilise their ship after the change in stewardship and the arrival of new coach Mark Miller.
These are still early days though but precious points cannot be forfeited at this juncture with another tight race for places in the Championship Pool again anticipated.
A victory for the Wanderers today could fire them to the top, one point ahead of Hibs, but Marsaxlokk could have other plans in mind.
The Blues from the south are in buoyant mood following a 4-2 victory over Ħamrun Spartans.
It was the first 'three-pointer' for Brian Talbot's men but the way they did it suggests that Marsaxlokk should rank among the top six at the end of the second round by the beginning of spring.
Marsaxlokk were missing some regulars and at one point looked to have thrown in the towel after falling behind to a Gaetan Spiteri brace. But they hit back admirably to secure the points and move on the four-point mark.
The Wanderers, unbeaten so far, tried hard to create openings last Saturday against a defensive-minded Floriana as the Old Firm rivals settled for a goalless draw even though Sliema coach Stephen Azzopardi reckoned that his team deserved something better.
"We did most of the attacking and Floriana did not have a decent shot at our goal," he opined.
"Some said that we played below par but that's not true because we tried our utmost to win despite having a couple of regulars missing. The Floriana goalkeeper was the protagonist. Everyone saw his saves and he was rightly voted best player. That alone, I suppose, says it all about the true story of the match."
This is a transitory period for Sliema who have just embarked on a three-year project as the Blues are looking to bank more on their youth product in future in a bid to assemble a valid squad, strong enough to bring the glory days back to the club.
Among the first effects of the new measures undertaken, Sliema parted with a number of established players this summer, among whom former skipper Brian Said. The central defender now plays for Marsaxlokk.
"Brian is a great player and a good friend of mine," Azzopardi said.
"I was sad to see him go but Sliema are looking long-term and when a good offer came to offload him elsewhere we had no other choice. Marsaxlokk are a better team with Brian in the side."
Azzopardi will have Kosta Bjedov back from suspension but midfielder Matthew Bartolo is a doubt after hurting his ankle against Floriana.
Veteran defenders Jeffrey Chetcuti and Branko Nisevic also skipped training this week as they were down with 'flu.
Said, 35, played for seven years in a Sliema shirt. Naturally, it will be difficult for him to play against his former team-mates but once the match starts all jitters should fade.
"This will be a particular match for me," he said.
"With Sliema I spent the best years of my career but I've settled down nicely at Marsaxlokk and it shouldn't be a problem to play against my former team.
"This transfer came at an appropriate time because at my age you need a different challenge to keep the career going. I've found new motivation and I think Marsaxlokk are good enough to aim for the honours this season.
"After beating Ħamrun, we want to embark on a positive run... against Sliema will be another interesting clash."
Julio Alcorse and Trevor Templeman are not likely to play for Marsaxlokk today as they are still not 100 per cent fit. However, Gareth Sciberras and Kevin Sammut, who also skipped the Ħamrun match, could be available for Talbot.