All is set for a titanic clash between Birkirkara and Hibernians this afternoon at the Ta’ Qali national stadium.
It is the Bank of Valletta Premier League championship decider with the 2012/13 Malta title at stake.
Both sets of supporters have prepared intensively for this clash and one expects an unusually healthy atmosphere at the national stadium this afternoon with yellow and red striped flags on one side and the white and black flags on the other.
The two sets of fans are reported to have prepared a choreography which has never been seen locally at a football ground and that should make today’s great encounter even more memorable.
It has been 41 long years since Maltese football had to stage a decider to determine the championship. The last time it happened was in season 1971-72 when Sliema beat Floriana 2-0 after extra time.
In those days, those two sides were still considered as the best teams on the island having dominated Maltese football almost since is inception.
This season, however, there is no doubt that Birkirkara and Hibernians have been the most consistent teams and although good football was perhaps at a minimum, the only really good things came from these two sides.
It is true that both had their ups and downs during the season, but the fact that they have managed to topple Valletta off their perch and when the citizens were considered by one and all as the outright favourites at the start of the campaign only goes on to confirm that the two sides deserve to be contesting today’s big match.
Is there a favourite? Who do you think will win? I have been asked these questions over a hundred times the past week. And that is confirmation enough that there is quite a lot of interest in the outcome.
Both teams have enough talent to win the match, but taking into consideration everything, I have come to the conclusion that it will be a very close affair. In such a scenario I cannot say there is a favourite. Either team can win and therefore victory can go either way.
In my opinion, Birkirkara seem to have the edge in defence while the Paolites have a stronger attack. There is a certain balance in midfield. It is these ingredients which should be a guarantee for a top quality football match the likes of which we have not seen for sure this season.
Birkirkara will sadly miss the absence of left flank defender Joe Zerafa who is ruled out through suspension. Zammit has made no mention of who might be his substitute, but it is possible that it will be Ryan Camenzuli with Zach Muscat a close second.
On the other hand, Hibs coach Michael Woods will have Marcelo Dias missing through injury. The Hibs mentor confirmed on Thursday morning that the striker had not trained till that day and was very unlikely that he woujld be declared fit to play.
But there was good news for the Paolites as two other injured players, Jean Paul Farrugia and Ryan Camilleri are both expected to be declared fit to play today.
Probable formations:
Birkirkara: Justin Haber, R. Pereira, N. Vukanac, A. Mendoza, R. Camenzuli, G. Sciberras, R. Muscat, P. Fenech, Johnnattann da Conceicao, JP Mifsud Triganza, S. H. Shodiya
Hibernians: M. Muscat, R. Camilleri, Soares, A. Pulis; C. Failla, Lenvaic, B. Kristensen, A. Cohen, J. Lima; O. Obifuele, E. Dos Santos.