The final hurdle in the chase by three clubs for the runner-up place starts this evening at the national stadium, Ta’ Qali.
Marsaxlokk, 32 points, Birkirkara and Sliema 31, will be playing their final match of this year’s Premier League and, of course, all three will be seeking to win the three points.
Whatever happens today and on Thursday, we have to wait the outcome of Saturday’s match between Valletta and Marsaxlokk to see who will finish second, third and fourth.
Birkirkara seem to have the easiest clash of all three as they face bottom club Hamrun Spartans, while Sliema have to beat their eternal ‘Old Firm’ rivals Floriana and Marsaxlokk none other than the newly crowned champions, who will be starting the title celebrations on Saturday.
But judging on what we have seen in the past few weeks, it is certainly not easy to predict any outcome.
Birkirkara missed out on a good chance to maintain their top place among the three chasing clubs, when they suffered a last-gasp equaliser against Floriana last week, dropping two very precious points which can only be recovered if they were to be the only winners in this final round.
The Stripes showed some deficiencies at the back in recent matches, dropping important points in the last moments of some of their matches. In fact, they not only missed last week’s two points against Floriana, but earlier, also dropped five points from their last two clashes against none other than Valletta, suffering goals in the final minutes.
But after all, that is football, and that is how championships are won and lost!
Today against Hamrun the Stripes would be expected to make sure of the three points, for they – as well as Marsaxlokk and Sliema – are aware that even a third place might suffice to put them in the UEFA Cup.
Decider
There is the possibility that Birkirkara and Sliema might end up on an equal number of points, if they win their clashes and Marsaxlokk draw or lose against Valletta.
In that case, the direct matches during the season do not count. A decider will have to be played to determine the second or third place.