As the dust begins to settle on Tuesday's National League 100 Anniversary Cup final, the attention of local football fans swings back to the BOV Premier League which continues with a jammed five-game schedule between today and tomorrow.
With the visit of Pope Benedict XVI expected to bring the country to a standstill this weekend, the Malta FA decided to reschedule its programme as two games will take place this evening and three will be played tomorrow.
The highlight of this week's roster is tonight's clash between title favourites Birkirkara and the in-form Qormi.
Four points clear of Valletta at the top, Birkirkara will make another giant stride towards the title if they see off Qormi's challenge. If the head-to-head record between these two teams is anything to go by, Birkirkara should not meet much trouble to win today as they brushed aside Qormi in all three of their previous meetings this season.
Qormi shipped in nine goals in their matches against Birkirkara this season but their fine form of late can only have strengthened their optimism that they can arrest their negative run against the Stripes.
Branko Nisevic, who shelved his retirement plans to add experience and strength to Birkirkara's defence at the start of the season, is bracing himself for a stern challenge from Qormi.
"I'm expecting Qormi to be very motivated for this match because they are still fighting for third place and qualification to Europe," Nisevic, who is also Birkirkara coach Paul Zammit's right-hand man, said.
"They will go flat-out to win."
Last weekend, Qormi strengthened their quest for third place with a 3-0 win over Hibs while Birkirkara consolidated top spot with a 3-0 success over Sliema.
Nisevic acknowledged that Birkirkara's emphatic dismissal of Sliema provided further confirmation of the team's title credentials.
"Winning against Sliema has increased our self-belief," Nisevic said. "The most pleasing thing about our campaign so far is that we have managed to beat all teams in the Premier League. Our confidence is high but we will approach the next game the right way."
Zammit, the Birkirkara coach, has a full squad at his disposal. Midfielder Rowen Muscat is in line for a return to first-team duty after illness kept him out of the Sliema game.
After their prayers for Sliema to undermine Birkirkara's title momentum went unanswered, Valletta are now pinning their hopes on Qormi.
As the finish line draws closer, the pressure on Birkirkara to maintain their four-point cushion over Valletta will increase but Nisevic is not concerned.
"At this point in time, we are not thinking about them (Valletta)," Nisevic said.
"We don't feel under extra pressure because Valletta want us to lose but we have pressure from within because we've now come so close to winning the highest prize in Maltese football."
Qormi coach Jesmond Zerafa knows that his team are in for a tough test.
"This is another difficult game," Zerafa said. "We're going to play against the most consistent team in the Premier League but we've also had an excellent season so far.
"Our target is to qualify for a European competition next season. We are three points clear of Sliema in third but we can't afford to drop points. The players are very motivated and willing to extend the team's positive run."
With no injuries or suspensions, Zerafa is expected to field the same team that started the win over Hibs.
When it was put to Zerafa that Valletta, the club where he spent the best years of his successful career, will be rooting for Qormi to beat Birkirkara, the former winger said: "We are very tranquil. Whatever happens between now and the end of the season, this will still go down as an extraordinary year for Qormi.
"The pressure is on Birkirkara because they are challenging for the title. Valletta are hoping for a Qormi win but our determination to prevail against Birkirkara has nothing to do with any other team. We want to do well for ourselves to stay on course and qualify for Europe."
Results so far: Birkirkara vs Qormi 5-2, 2-0, 2-0.
All-blue clash
In today's opening match at the National Stadium (kick-off 6 p.m.), Sliema Wanderers and Tarxien Rainbows will be looking to regain their winning touch.
Sliema are under mounting pressure to get their bid for a top-three finish back on track after successive defeats saw the Blues drop three points adrift of Qormi.
For their part, Tarxien were on the receiving end of a 3-0 defeat to Valletta last weekend but unlike their imminent opponents, the Rainbows received praise for their lively performance, especially in the first half.
Mark Marlow, the Sliema coach, must make at least one change from the team that lost 3-0 to Birkirkara as defender Clifford Gatt Baldacchino was given a one-match ban yesterday.
Clayton Failla is ranked as doubtful after picking up a knock last Friday.
Tarxien coach Noel Coleiro has no selection problems. He has high hopes that the Rainbows will put on a strong performance today to increase their chances of hanging on to fifth spot and perhaps make a last-ditch assault on fourth.
Results so far: Tarxien vs Sliema 3-1, 2-4, 0-2.
Suspensions
Sliema's Gatt Baldacchino was one of nine Premier League players who received a one-match ban yesterday. Valletta duo Edmond Agius and Jamie Pace have been ruled out of tomorrow's match against Hibs.
Floriana's Stefan Lijeskic and Stefano Grima will have to miss the match against relegated Msida who had Kurt Grech and Adrian Farrugia on the suspensions' list.
Ħamrun will be without two regular forwards for their meeting with Dingli after Gaetan Spiteri and Ian Zammit were handed a ban.
Programme
Today: (National Stadium) 6 p.m. Sliema vs Tarxien; 8 p.m. Birkirkara vs Qormi.
Tomorrow: (National Stadium) 6 p.m. Msida SJ vs Floriana; 8 p.m. Valletta vs Hibs. (Tedesco Stadium) 7.30 p.m. Ħamrun vs Dingli.