The final two matches in the Bank of Valletta Premier League are to be played this evening at the National Stadium, Ta’ Qali.
Third-placed Birkirkara will be facing struggling Hamrun Spartans at 6pm, while Valletta will meet rivals Floriana at 8pm.
All the teams will be aiming for the three points to start the second phase, not only in a better position than that they occupy today, but also on a positive note.
Every team is aware that after today’s matches, the points will be deducted by half and it is because of this that all the four teams will be aiming for a victory this evening.
Valletta can finish the first phase on top, one point ahead of Hibernians (though they will start the second phase on an equal number of points – 23) if they beat Floriana this evening.
On the other hand, Birkirkara will move to within just one point of Hibs and Valletta – on 22 points at the start of the second phase – if they beat Hamrun.
It is an interesting situation which augurs well for a well contested second phase which should see spectators returning to the local venues after the low number of fans witnessed at local Premier matches in the first phase.
For both Hamrun and Floriana, it is the same situation – they need the three points badly. But they are also aware that they are the clear underdogs.
The Spartans have gone through a disastrous second round in the first phase and it is clear that they will have to pull up their socks quickly if they want to avoid relegation.
As for Floriana, morale is quite low at present. After the departure of some players, they had the satisfaction of beating Hibernians 1-0 only to see the result reversed to a 0-3 defeat after having made use of an ineligible player.
Now the Greens are under the charge of a new coach, Iain Brunskill, formerly assistant coach at Blackburn Rovers in England.
Floriana are aware they are facing their big neighbouring rivals and a victory this evening will be the right incentive to finish this disastrous season at least on top of the Relegation Pool. That is now their main aim after having also been dumped out of the FA Trophy by first division side Lija Athletic.