The Premier League continues this evening at Ta’ Qali National Stadium with a match of maximum importance to Valletta and Sliema W. which closes the penultimate round.

The Blues were forced to delay their 26th title celebrations last week as they went down 3-1 to Birkirkara and will today be expecting at least to draw to make sure they lift the Premier League title for the third consecutive time.

On the other hand, after Birkirkara and Hibs won their clashes on Friday and Saturday, thus overtaking the citizens in second and third place respectively, it is obvious that Valletta will be going all out for a victory – their only remaining hope of reaching European football next season (UEFA Cup) via the second place in the League, though they are also still in contention for the title.

A defeat against Sliema today will leave the citizens in fourth place, out of the championship race and two points behind Birkirkara and one behind Hibernians with just one match remaining in the battle for second place. For Birkirkara a draw might not be enough, especially if Hibernians, for whom the second place is also their only chance of playing in Europe next season, manage to beat Sliema in the final encounter.

It is a very intriguing position and this three-horse battle for the second place has made the final phase of the championship very interesting.

Let us also not forget that if Valletta beat Sliema this evening, even the title issue will become quite uncertain. In fact, Sliema will remain two points ahead of Valletta and three points ahead of Birkirkara.

And all that shows that not even the title issue is over, unless Sliema get the point they require today to set their minds at rest.

And in the hope that Hibernians might beat Sliema in the final match, the Valletta-Birkirkara clash would then promise to be a veritable decider reminiscent of that great encounter at the end of season 1996/97 which decided the title in favour of Valletta. This time, however, it will be a decider for the second place which would be of great importance for the future of Valletta as Birkirkara still have a chance to get to the UEFA Cup via the FA Trophy.

Anyway, despite being pushed into fourth place, Valletta are well aware of the importance of the match this evening. They know that it will not be an easy task as Sliema are expected to field their best side, possibly including also Joe Brincat and Danilo Doncic.

A big boost for the citizens is the return from suspension of star striker Gilbert Agius and their No. 1 goalie Sean Sullivan. They both missed the match against Floriana where their absence was in evidence despite City’s 2-1 win.