Birkirkara could be crowned Malta champions tomorrow afternoon when they take on Marsaxlokk as the Bank of Valletta Premier League draws closer to the end.

With just three matches till the end, the Stripes enjoy an eight-point lead over second placed Sliema and have a nine-point advantage over Marsaxlokk. These two teams still have a mathematical chance of winning the title themselves, but this is just a very slight chance.

In fact, Sliema have to win all their matches and Birkirkara lose theirs if the Wanderers are to retain the title. The same applies for Marsaxlokk who, however, will only be able to force a decider with the Stripes in that eventuality.

If Sliema miss a victory against Valletta this afternoon, they will certainly be out of the running and Birkirkara need only to draw tomorrow against Marsaxlokk to be declared champions for the second time in their history.

And now that they are so close, Stephen Azzopardi and his boys are not expected to falter after having gone through such a long unbeaten run in which they have showed that they are the most deserving team this season to win the Malta title.

However, Marsaxlokk have not been easy opponents for any other team this season, including the Stripes. True they will have Wellman and Mamo suspended, but they will be motivated by the fact that they still have a chance to topple Sliema from the runner-up perch – that will be a certain UEFA Cup place next season.

The Stripes also have some injury problems and the only consolation, perhaps, is that Bulgarian defender Emil Yanchev will probably return to the squad, though it is still doubtful whether he will make it to the starting line-up.

The battle for the runner-up place is hotting up with three teams – still very much in contention. Sliema have 30 points, Marsaxlokk 29 and Hibernians 27.

If Sliema miss the bus against Valletta today, then Hibernians seem to have the better chance to make progress as they should be considered favourites to beat bottom-placed Msida, still searching for their first Championship Pool victory.

The Blues, after their recent defeats, are a demoralised lot, having seen the title rapidly ‘flying’ off their hands after such a fantastic first phase. They are now in a position where they are forced to win the three points against the sturdy Valletta this afternoon.

Today, they have not almost lost the title already, but they are now being seriously threatened for the runner-up spot. And they will certainly have to be at their very best to beat Valletta.

The citizens are also passing through a bad moment at present, and they will have to play much and much better than they did against the Stripes last week if they are to offer any sort of opposition to the Blues.

In the other match at the weekend, Pieta and Mosta cross swords in an important Relegation Pool match this afternoon, with the winners almost making sure of their stay among the elite at least for another season.

At present, Floriana lead the standings on 16 points, followed by Pieta on 14, Mosta on 13 and Hamrun at the bottom with just 10 points.

The last few matches in this Pool will definitely have a direct bearing on the positions and one expects a keenly contested match in which the two sides will be seeking to maintain their current positive run.