Champions Valletta FC need only to draw today’s clash against Birkirkara at the Hibernians Stadium (kick-off 7.30pm) to win the Euro Cup – the first honour of the new season.
At present Valletta lead the standings with three points after their 2-1 win against Floriana, while Birkirkara and Floriana have one point each after the goalless draw between them on Monday evening. Of course, Floriana are out of the reckoning, but Birkirkara still have today’s match pending.
If the Stripes win this evening, it will be Patrick Curmi’s team to lift the Euro Cup as they will then overtake Valletta in the standings by one point.
It should be a match worth watching for several reasons. Apart from the rivalry that exists between the two teams, the clubs’ fans are eager to see what their newcomers will be offering.
In fact, both Valletta and Birkirkara have made some notable changes to their squads, especially with regards to their foreign line-up.
The Stripes have brought goalkeeper Jorge Mora back into their fold after a one-year absence. Against Floriana, they included Matt Clarke, formerly of Hibernians, Italian Jacopo Camilli, Argentine Victor Rena and Latvian defender Marcis Savinovs. On Tuesday they also revealed that they had signed two Brazilian players – defender Antonio Carlos Gomes and striker David Da Silva.
All these foreigners are expected to take part in today’s match at one time or another as the club intends to make use of some of them for Europa League and Premier League purposes.
On their part, Valletta have also made some changes among their foreign players. Denni Rocha dos Santos and Ramon dos Santos have been retained by the champions, while Alfred Effiong (their latest signing), Ousseni Zongo and Brazilian William Barbosa da Silva have been added to their line-up.
It should be an interesting encounter with Valletta eager to confirm the dominance they exercised on Maltese football last season.
The match should prove to be excellent preparation for their European commitments next week.
Valletta will be travelling to San Marino to face Tre Fiori next Tuesday in Serravalle in the first qualifying round first leg match, while Birkirkara will be playing against Vllaznia of Albania at Ta’ Qali two days later in an European League first qualifying round first leg.