Two important matches are on the card today at the Ta’ Qali national stadium as the Bank of Valletta Premier League continues.
In the first match on the programme, at 2pm, Msida St Joseph take on Valletta while in the match that follows, Marsaxlokk will be facing Birkirkara.
At present, Sliema lead the standings with 28 points, followed by Hibernians on 27 and Birkirkara on 25. Marsaxlokk follow on 18 points, Msida are on 16 points. Further down are Valletta and Pieta on 11, Hamrun on 10, Floriana on nine and Mosta prop up the table with just five points. Sliema and Mosta have played a match more than all the others.
It is evident that Birkirkara could move to the top of the standings alongside Sliema, but only if they manage to take the three points off the southern seasiders.
In the past three seasons, Marsaxlokk have been a very tough nut to crack for the Stripes where a drawn result was almost always a foregone conclusion.
This season is no exception as in the first round, the two teams shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw. Today, however, things could be totally different.
First and foremost, Birkirkara are playing with great confidence now that they have registered a string of five consecutive victories. Moreover, there is also the motivation of occupying the first place if they win.
On their part, Marsaxlokk, apart from a disastrous 4-1 defeat at the hands of Hibernians, have also had a good run and though they have remained mainly unimpressive in their performances, however, they have obtained some positive results which have pushed them to fourth place.
At present they seem confident of figuring among the top six for Championship Pool purposes, but it is evident that they will be doing their utmost to get closer to the leaders in the knowledge that they might still be able to offer a challenge for the title, especially when the points are halved at the midway stage.
In the other match, both Valletta and Msida will be searching for three precious points.
It is a very important match for both teams. For Msida, a victory will almost assure them of a place among the top six, while for Valletta, the three points will push them ahead of the other Relegation Pool candidates and, of course, closer to assure themselves of the sixth placing at least.
A defeat for Msida will keep them comfortably in fifth place, at least at present, but it will give the other followers an opportunity to try and overtake them in the remaining second round matches.
Both teams are coming from disappointing defeats the past weekend. Msida were demolished by a strong Birkirkara to the tune of 4-1 while Valletta were beaten by arch rivals Floriana 2-1 in the city and suburban derby clash.
It is obvious that the two teams will be going out for the three points but with so much at stake, the two teams might also be happy with a point apiece. In the first round, Msida emerged winners 3-1.