Floriana took a firm grip on the battle for the runner-up placing the past weekend as they opened a four-point lead over Birkirkara, the remaining contenders. Even if the Greens lose against Valletta on Saturday and Birkirkara beat Marsaxlokk, they will remain firm favourites as they would need only a draw from their decisive final encounter against the same Stripes. Meanwhile, Valletta remained firmly on course to retain their proud unbeaten record as they drew 1-1 against the Stripes.

Henry Brincat analyses the situation as the end of the campaign is now only two matches away.

Floriana became firm favourites to end up in second place – and a return to European football after a long absence – as they beat Hamrun and Birkirkara drew with Valletta in the weekend programme.

This means that Floriana are now enjoying a four-point lead over the Stripes with two matches remaining.

On Saturday Floriana will be meeting Valletta and the Stripes face Marsaxlokk who are now out of contention after their unexpected 4-2 defeat at the hands of Tarxien Rainbows.

If Floriana win they will be assured of second place – apart from halting Valletta’s unbeaten run – but if they draw or lose and Birkirkara win against Marsaxlokk then everything will have to be played for in the final encounter between the two teams, that is, the following weekend.

In the match of the weekend, that is the Valletta-Birkirkara clash, the two sides fought gamely all the way with Birkirkara, perhaps, showing more determination than the newly crowned champions.

I got the impression that Valletta were more than happy to have avoided defeat while Birkirkara were also happy as they remained firmly in contention, of course depending very much on the results of next Saturday’s clashes.

Neither side deserved to lose and the draw was a fair result with Valletta opening the scoring through the league’s top scorer Terence Scerri and the Stripes getting their equaliser near the end through Brazilian Kumbrevicius.

On Saturday, Floriana continued with their recent impressive run as they overpowered Hamrun Spartans to win 2-0 thanks to two penalty kicks from veteran striker Ivan Woods.

It was a deserved win for Floriana who are now relishing the chance of a return to European football. They are close, but they should keep their feet to the ground if they are to overcome the stiff challenge expected from the Stripes till the end of the campaign.

The Spartans had nothing to play for but they simply could not produce the same form which saw them holding Birkirkara to a draw in their previous match.

Tarxien’s 4-2 defeat of Marsaxlokk was certainly a great surprise as Marsaxlokk were still challenging for the runner-up placing till that defeat.

The southern seasiders can only hope of finishing third now though they will have to defeat Birkirkara, at least. If that happens they could possibly be back in Europe if a team, apart from Valletta or the second placed team in the League wins the Trophy. Only that would open the door for the league’s third placed club to play in the Europa League next season.

Best player

Jonathan Caruana

(Valletta FC)

The Valletta and Malta central defender Jonathan Caruana is my pick this week after his five-star performance in the match against Birkirkara on Monday evening.

Caruana was almost perfect in all he did during the 90 minutes and never appeared to have put a foot wrong.

He was dominant in the City area, especially when Birkirkara took the initiative in midfield.

The former Hibernians central defender has certainly been a big asset to the Valletta squad this season. He has certainly helped the citizens to maintain their unbeaten record – a very strong defence which conceded just 14 goals in 26 matches played.

Top scorers

15 goals T. Scerri (Valletta),

14 goals A. Effiong (Marsaxlokk)

13 goals JP Mifsud Triganza (Sliema W.), D. Nwoke (Floriana)

11 goals G. Spiteri (Hamrun S.), D. Rocha dos Santos (Valletta)