League leaders Birkirkara and one of their two immediate followers, Marsaxlokk, will be facing each other in a top-of-the-table clash this afternoon at the Ta’ Qali Stadium.
It is the second match on the programme which also features the Valletta-Sliema match, also from the Championship Pool.
At present, in the Championship Pool, Birkirkara enjoy a two-point lead over Marsaxlokk and Sliema, six over Hibernians, nine over Valletta and 14 over sixth placed Msida St Joseph.
The Stripes, who played a disappointing match against a rampant Valletta side and dropped two precious points the past weekend, must be on full alert against a Marsaxlokk side which has been moving up the standings steadily since Ray ‘Zazu’ Farrugia joined the club as technical assistant.
Coach Stephen Azzopardi is well aware of a very difficult task today – recent results against the southern seasiders did not go Birkirkara’s way – and will certainly request his players to beat today’s opponents to give their title hopes a further push.
Marsaxlokk are going from strength to strength having beaten title contenders Hibernians and Sliema Wanderers, besides Msida SJ in their last three games. They are now very confident going into today’s big clash with the leaders.
In the first round of the first phase, the two sides figured in a 1-1 draw, while in the second round, Marsaxlokk emerged winners 2-0.
Marsaxlokk will be without striker Malcolm Licari who is banned for one match.
Valletta could prove to be a tough obstacle for Sliema as well after having halted Birkirkara in their stride last week.
The citizens are playing better with every match and with Gilbert Agius and Keith Fenech back from suspension, coach Paul Zammit will be able to field a full side against title defendants Sliema.
Valletta need the three points in their quest to join Hibernians in fourth place as the club now hopes to earn a berth in European football next season.
But it will not be an easy task for Valletta as Sliema are also in need of the points. The Blues are well aware that if they miss the bus, either Marsaxlokk or Birkirkara could take advantage of the situation in the match that follows.
Sliema are favourites to obtain a third win over the Citizens, especially after their good performance against Hibernians (3-0) last week, but they will be without veteran defender Jeffrey Chetcuti who is ruled out through suspension.
Tomorrow’s Championship Pool clash sees Hibernians facing bottom club Msida – a match in which the two sides will be aiming to get back on the winning trail.
The two sides have started the second phase on a negative note and they will both be aiming to improve their situation, especially Hibernians, who might be motivated to get back into contention, depending, of course, on today’s results.
In the Relegation Pool, Mosta have another opportunity to continue opening the issue wide as they face the demoralised Hamrun Spartans.
With Floriana almost out of trouble, the issue is left to be battled out between Hamrun, Pieta and Mosta with just three points separating the three clubs.
While Mosta are brimming with enthusiasm following their 3-1 defeat of Pieta, Hamrun are demoralised following their 3-0 defeat at the hands of Floriana last week.
Local sport at the weekend
Today
Football
Ta’ Qali: Bank of Valletta Premier League 2pm Valletta-Sliema W.; 4pm Birkirkara-Marsaxlokk.
Centenary Stadium: Bank of Valletta second division 2pm Gudja-Melita; 4pm Dingli-Qormi.
Ghaxaq: MFA Youth League 2pm Marsa-Ghaxaq; 4pm Fgura-Pembroke
Pace Grasso: MFA Youth League 1.30pm Rabat-Naxxar; Youth B KO 3.30pm Tarxien-St George’s
Corradino C: ISA 1.30pm Nylon Knitting-Trelleborg; 3pm Actavis-Baxter
St Joseph Tech Inst. Paola: MAFA Div. II 1.45pm Tarxien AFC-Senglea 1976; 3.15pm Tal-Qroqq V.-Dingli Am.
Gozo Stadium: GFA Sprite second division 1pm Victoria H.-Gharb R.; 3pm St Lawrence S.-Qala SJ.
Waterpolo
Tal-Qroqq: Wilkinson Sword winter league 3.45pm San Giljan-Marsaxlokk; 5pm Sirens-Sliema.
Basketball
Ta’ Qali: Cadettes 9.15am Depiro-Eurobasket Med.; Junior men 11am Plate Pool Game 9; Junior women 12.45pm Loyola Vileda-Luxol; 2.30pm Hibs-Naxxar Danone; 4.15pm Pembroke Optika-Depiro
Handball
University Hall: 12.30pm, Promotion women La Salle AMC-D6 Abakus Solutions; 2.10pm Promotion Men Kavallieri-La Salle AMC; APS National League Men D6 Active Bodies-Aloysians ProMinent.
Volleyball
Cottonera Sports Complex: 1pm U-16 girls Paola Hibs Candy-CFK Fleur-de-Lys; 2.30pm Senior ladies Aloysians Playvolley-Paola Hibs Candy; 4pm Senior men CFK Fleur-de-Lys FEB-CFK Fleur-de-Lys B 6.30pm Aloysians Red-Aloysians Lipton.
Hockey
Corradino: Under 14 friendly 3pm Sliema HsB-San Anton; League 4.15pm Floriana YS-Qormi
Shooting
Bidnija: 11am. Skeet/Double Trap Selection shoot for the Wenzu Vella Cup
Judo
St Aloysius Hall: 5pm Malta international Open – preliminaries
Tomorrow
Hibs Ground: Bank of Valletta Premier League 2pm, Hamrun S.-Mosta; 4pm Msida SJ-Hibernians
Victor Tedesco Stadium: Bank of Valletta first division 9am Tarxien-Lija; 11am St George’s-Senglea
Centenary Stadium: Bank of Valletta second division 9am Balzan-Zebbug; 11am Gzira U.-Vittoriosa S.; Third division 2pm Pembroke-Fgura; 4pm St Lucia-St Venera
Ghaxaq Ground: MFA Youth League 9am Zejtun-Kirkop; 11am Qormi-B’Buga SP.
Mellieha: MFA Youth League 10.45am Mellieha-Melita
Pace Grasso: MFA Youth League 9am Attard-San Gwann; Youth B KO 11am Marsaxlokk-Dingli
Gozo Stadium: GFA Onvol first division 1pm, Kercem-Ghajnsielem; 3pm Nadur Y.-Xewkija
St Lucia: IASC Division I 8.30am 9.45am 11am
St Joseph Tech Inst. Paola: MAFA Div. I 9.15am Valletta SP-Zejtun RS; 10.45am Hamrun S.-Mqabba Alb.
Basketball
Ta’ Qali: Division I 9.15am Mosta-Mellieha; 11am Floriana-Loyola Xuereb Inst. 12.45pm Qormi Kia-SN Suns Bell Med; Kinnie League 2.30pm Hamrun GoMobile-Depiro Kyocera; 4.15pm Pembroke-Siggiewi Smina
St Aloysius: Cadets 9am Loyola Vileda-Luxol; 10am Pembroke Optika-Depiro Mtarfa; Cadettes 11am Hibs Candy-Eurobasket Medit.
Hockey
Corradino: Nine-a-side league 9am Floriana YS-Qormi; 11am White Hart-Sliema H.
Volleyball
Cottonera Sports Complex: 12.00 Under 14 girls X-Sel-Flyers; Paola Hibs Candy-Kerygma; Boys Under 14 1.30pm CFK Fleur-de-Lys-Kerygma; Senior ladies 3pm CFK Fleur-de-Lys-Kerygma; Senior Men 5pm San Anton-CFK Fleur-de-Lys FEB
Badminton
St Martin’s College: 9.30am H2Only League, Singles Div. 2 and 4
Judo
St Aloysius Hall: 10am Malta international Open – finals
Shooting
Bidnija: 9am Skeet and Double Trap Selection shoot for the Wenzu Vella Cup