Today’s Birkirkara-Valletta match at Ta’ Qali (kick-off 5.30pm) is a decider for a UEFA Cup place next season, even though if the Stripes miss out, they will have the chance to recover by winning the Trophy.
It is the final league match for both clubs and if one takes a look at the standings, it will become obvious that they need a victory – in fact, a draw might be a bad result for both sides who could be ousted by Hibernians, if the latter beat Sliema Wanderers in the final league match tomorrow afternoon.
At present, Birkirkara are on 35 points, one ahead of Valletta and Hibernians. A draw will put both sides on 36 and 35 points respectively, leaving Hibs on 34. But if Hibs win tomorrow, they will finish on 37, thus claiming the UEFA Cup berth.
For Valletta and Hibernians this is certainly their final chance to make it to European football (UEFA Cup) next season as they have been bundled out of the FA Trophy. They might also be still interested in third place if Birkirkara eventually win the Trophy and also finish second and there is also an Interototo Cup place which will be filled by the club finishing third or fourth in the standings, depending on who wins the Trophy.
Moreover, it is also possible that Birkirkara will not even make it to the Intertoto Cup if they finish fourth. This could happen if Valletta win today, Hibs win tomorrow and the Stripes then go on to be eliminated from the FA Trophy.
Then Sliema will be in the Champions League, the other Trophy finalists (Marsaxlokk or Msida) and either Hibs or Valletta will be in the UEFA Cup, and again, Hibs or Valletta will be in the Intertoto Cup via the third place in the league.
It is still a very interesting situation which will make today’s encounter very interesting to watch. By no means can it be compared to the championship decider of a few years ago, but one expects a bumper crowd at Ta’ Qali this afternoon.
Both sides will have a key player missing. For Valletta Massimo Grima is suspended and his absence in defence will sorely be felt. On the other hand, Birkirkara have in-form striker Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza missing – he is out for the rest of the season after picking an injury during the last league match against Marsaxlokk.
On the other hand, the Stripes will have Michael Galea in the starting line-up while George Mallia and Lino Galea are also expected to be recovered.
In the other match today, Msida St Joseph take on relegated St Patrick in a game which will only serve Msida as a training spin ahead of next week’s Trophy semi-final against Marsaxlokk.
The programme culminates tomorrow with the final match of the league between champions Sliema and Hibernians.
The Blues are celebrating the title victory tomorrow, but their match could turn out to be much more difficult than expected, of course, if Birkirkara fail to win today.
If the Stripes win, Hibs will have no interest in the second place. Even a draw will suffice to assure them of this place. But if Valletta win today’s match, then the Paolites will be forced to win tomorrow to force a decider against the citizens to determine second placing.
Whatever happens, tomorrow will still be Sliema’s day as they will be presented with the Cup and then they will be off to The Ferries in Sliema to continue their celebrations after a carcade from Ta’ Qali. It should be another memorable night for the Blues after having conquered their third consecutive title and their 26th in their illustrious history.