The two local giants of the game meet this evening in the first of five possible play-offs to determine this year’s championship winners.
Neptunes have been labelled as the firm favourites to win the title having dominated the early qualifying rounds, beating all their opponents convincingly, remaining unbeaten throughout the season.
The Balluta Bay side have been undisputed leaders right from the start of the campaign and Sergei Markoch’s side has shown supremacy in all their matches, even those against their arch rivals Sliema.
There is no doubt that Markoch has built a strong side and it will not be an easy task for Sliema to reverse the tide, at least this season.
But no one knows what the Blues have in store for these final decisive matches.
After the passing away of their former beloved president Edwin Meli earlier this week, they will certainly dedicate any victory against their rivals to his memory.
But despite showing much better form than they did in their earlier matches, Sergio Afric’s side still has to show further improvement if they are to give Neptunes a good run for their money.
It is a fact that Sliema have sadly missed the services of some of their regular players through injury this season. However, now that they have reached the final, they will be expected to go all out to overcome their rivals.
After today’s match, there will be the second play-off on Sunday and the third next Tuesday. If any one team wins these three matches, that team will be declared the title winner. If not, there will be two additional playoffs, scheduled for Thursday 8 September and Saturday 10 September, until any one of the two teams obtains three wins.
Also today, prior to this match, there will be the third and final play-off for the Second Division title between Marsascala meat.com.mt and Valletta Dhalia.
Valletta had won the first play-off but Marsascala fought back to level matters in the second match.
Programme
Today
Tal-Qroqq pool: 5.15pm, Second Division third play-off, Marsascala-Valletta; 6.30pm, First Division first play-off, Neptunes Emirates-Sliema MCDonalds.