Three months ago to the day, Valletta went into their first encounter with champions Hibs in buoyant mood after a 2-0 victory over Qormi had stretched their unbeaten start to five matches.
Pre-match forecasts had ranked Valletta as favourites to glean maximum spoils but Hibs eroded the Citizens' invincible aura with a hard-earned 1-0 victory.
Since then, these two rivals have not been firing on all cylinders but with Valletta having returned to the summit thanks to their 1-0 defeat of Qormi, Hibs must replicate their first-round success if they are to stay in touch with the front-runners.
Identical two-all draws against Qormi and Birkirkara in their last two outings, left Hibs five points off the top but, on the positive side, they showed character in coming from behind to salvage a point with late goals in both matches.
"Hibs-Valletta matches are usually thrilling affairs and this one should be no different," Mario Muscat, the Hibs captain, said.
"We can't afford to lose this match because we're already five points behind. Everyone knows that Valletta have an awesome squad but I believe we are on a par when at full strength."
Hibs' progress this season has been disrupted by a series of injuries but the indications are that coach Mark Miller will have a full squad this afternoon.
Etienne Barbara is back in the frame after serving a one-match ban and midfielder Christian Callejas appears to have recovered from his knee injury. Hibs, who had many foreign strikers on trial in the past few weeks, are also optimistic that Andrew Cohen will declare himself fit to start after back pain restricted him to a cameo appearance in last Monday's draw against Birkirkara.
"In the last two games we were disappointed about the result but our performances were good," Muscat remarked.
"The most positive aspect was that, in both games, we showed great fighting spirit. The downside is that we are missing a lot of chances."
Valletta have so many potential match-winners in their squad that it is hard to earmark their most dangerous player but Muscat singled out winger Doding Priso.
"With Valletta, it's difficult to predict where the danger is going to come from but Priso gives them that extra edge," Muscat said.
"If we manage to curtail his threat, we will give ourselves a better chance."
With Birkirkara not in action until Monday evening, Valletta have the chance to open up a three-point gap at the top.
The intense rivalry between the fans of Hibs and Valletta allied with their common pursuit of the top prizes has enhanced the allure of this fixture but Andrew Hogg, the City keeper, dismissed suggestions that they are under greater pressure because they're facing the champions.
"This is a game like the others," Hogg said.
"For me playing against Dingli is the same as playing against the top teams because in every game, you have to give your 100 per cent to win.
"Us being Valletta, we can't be complacent because every team comes out to give us a really hard game."
Hogg regards Hibs as one of the likely contenders for the title.
"They are one of the teams who will be looking to challenge for the title in the final months of the season," Hogg remarked.
"We have never had an easy game against Hibs."
The Malta no.1 is in no doubt that Cohen is Hibs' most influential player.
"Without doubt, Andrew is their most dangerous player," Hogg said.
"Most of the team's good moves start from his feet."
Jordi Cruyff has returned from Spain where he had arthroscopy knee surgery but the Dutch midfielder is unlikely to be considered for selection. Captain Gilbert Agius is expected to make his return after completing his two-match ban.
First round - Hibs vs Valletta 1-0.
The other matches
Qormi vs Tarxien (tomorrow at 2 p.m., Hibs Stadium).
Qormi will be looking to return to winning ways after their 1-0 upset to Valletta but the task awaiting them is anything but easy as Tarxien want to boost their Championship Pool hopes.
Midfielders Massimo Grima and Keith Fenech are both banned for Qormi. Jesmond Zerafa, the coach, has also agreed to loan Joseph Chetcuti to Vittoriosa Stars.
Tarxien coach Noel Coleiro is confident his team can show their best against Qormi because "they have nothing to lose".
Winger Gianluca Calabretta is out after receiving a one-match ban, David Camilleri will serve the second of his two-match suspension and striker Warren Chircop is still recovering from injury.
First round - Qormi vs Tarxien 2-1.
Sliema vs Dingli (tomorrow at 4 p.m., Hibs Stadium).
Mark Marlow has high hopes of making a winning debut as Sliema coach. The former Msida coach took charge of the Blues in midweek following the dismissal of Stephen Azzopardi.
Sliema are desperate for a victory after a 3-0 loss to Ħamrun put a dent in their Championship Pool chances. Striker Julio Alcorse is expected to miss this match due to a thigh injury. Ryan Fenech will return from suspension.
With three points from 14 matches, Dingli need to start winning matches to resurrect their hopes of avoiding the drop.
Jesmond Zammit, the Dingli coach, has no injury problems but defender Renato Conceicao will not be considered for selection.
First round - Sliema vs Dingli 2-0.
Floriana vs Birkirkara (Monday at 7.30 p.m., National Stadium).
After the 2-2 draw with Hibs, Birkirkara fancy their chances of regaining their winning touch but Floriana are also hellbent on taking something from the match to stay in the hunt for a top-six finish.
Paul Zammit, the Birkirkara coach, is concerned about the fitness of goalkeeper Jorge Mora and defender Branko Nisevic after both picked up knocks last Monday.
Alan Tabone has a sprained ankle and Joseph Zerafa (hamstring) and George Mallia (calf) are still sidelined. On the plus side, Zammit can bank on Carlo Mamo after the experienced left-back joined Birkirkara on loan from Marsaxlokk.
Floriana coach Zoran Popovic is assessing a host of foreign trialists.
Russian striker Victor Zlydarev is expected to make his second appearance for the Greens but a decision on his future will be taken after this match.
Defender Brian Said is suspended and Marlon Briffa and Luke Agius are still injured. Julian Briffa is recovering from a hamstring problem.
First round - Floriana vs Birkirkara 1-0.