As the championship draws to a close – only four matches remain to be played – every match involving the top teams will be important and today’s clash between Marsaxlokk and Sliema is no exception.

At present, the title race seems to be restricted to just two teams. Valletta remain the great favourites as they are enjoying a five-point lead over Marsaxlokk and are seven points above third placed Birkirkara.

It seems evident that it will be difficult to catch up with the citizens now but Marsaxlokk have not yet thrown in the towel and they will be going all out to beat Sliema today to move within two points of the leaders in the hope that Birkirkara might eventually stop the Citizens’ march on Monday evening.

It is therefore an important round for Marsaxlokk, but also for Valletta who, by winning on Monday, would make another solid step forward regardless of what will be this afternoon’s result of the Marsaxlokk-Sliema match.

The outgoing champions did well to beat Floriana last Monday, therefore returning to winning form after their tough loss to Valletta in their previous match.

Against the Greens, Marsaxlokk showed great determination which confirmed their intentions of not throwing in the towel yet.

Coach Brian Talbot is expected to have all players at his disposal today and that will include the return to the side of striker Julio Alcorse who missed the match against Floriana through injury. Also returning to the squad will be Conceicao and Templeman who also missed the match against Floriana, the latter through suspension.

Sliema returned to winning form last weekend after a dismal run in which they lost everything, including a semi-final place in the U*Bet FA Trophy.

Their victory over Birkirkara provided coach Stephen Azzopardi with a sigh of relief. But today, he will have to do without last week’s scorer of the two goals, Etienne Barbara, as he is suspended.

The Blues need to win this match and hope that Birkirkara lose on Monday to maintain their slim chances of finishing in third place which could still mean a place in the UEFA Cup – only if the champions or the runners-up win the Trophy. In that case, it has to be Valletta and Birkirkara as Marsaxlokk are also out of the Trophy competition.

In the other match this afternoon, Floriana and Hamrun Spartans meet in a clash in which there are no aspirations except that the two sides will be trying to win to avoid the bottom place in the Championship Pool.

It is a clash without any interest in the league, but it will serve both teams as a good preparation for the FA Trophy semi-finals, for which they have also qualified.