Champions Valletta and FA Trophy holders Hibernians take centre stage in today’s Super Cup final at Ta’ Qali National Stadium (kick off 8pm) as last season’s absolute protagonists face each other in the new season’s curtain raiser that may also give a glimpse of the things to come.

It might still be early in the summer, with both sides far from optimum form and mood, but a clash between these two heavyweights of local football is always worth watching, more so when there is some honour at stake.

Valletta have won the Super Cup three times in the last four years and enjoy most successes (9) in the competition, since its introduction in 1985, with Rabat Ajax being the first winners.

In last year’s edition Valletta beat Floriana 3-0 after the Greens had denied them a ‘double’ by beating them in the FA Trophy Final.

Hibernians have only won this honour twice, their last in 2007 after beating the then champions Marsaxlokk 3-1. As champions, Hibernians lost to Sliema Wanderers in the final three years ago.

Today, the teams need check their tactics, assess their potential and settle in their new look, although both sides have not changed much from last season.

Last season, Valletta only managed to beat Hibernians once and suffered two defeats, with the remaining fixture ending in a draw, on their way to winning the league title.

Some weeks ago, Hibernians also beat Valletta 1-0 in the Euro Challenge Cup, the season’s first honour already going to the Paolites.

They now aim to end Valletta’ s dominance in this competition.

For today’s match, the Valletta supporters will be accommodated at the West A and West C sides in the enclosure, with the Hibernians supporters sitting in the Millenium Stand, sections E and F.

Ticket booths at the National Stadium, for spectators who have not yet bought their match ticket, will open at 6.15pm and the stadium gates open at 6.30pm