Birkirkara must beat relegation-haunted Tarxien Rainbows this evening if they are to continue chasing a berth in next season’s Europa League via a third place in the Bank of Valletta Premier League.
The match is the first of the 23rd round which will continue tomorrow (four matches) and on Sunday (two).
After their disastrous match against league leaders Balzan, not only has their interest in the title dwindled almost completely, but they even saw their third place rivals Gzira United overtaking them the day after following an easy win over Mosta.
On that particular day, the Stripes also saw their impressive 10-match unbeaten run (nine of them victories) coming to an end.
Coach Paul Zammit must have had a difficult time to re-motivate his players to face the remaining four matches with more confidence in an effort to keep the pace with the Maroons till the very end.
They start today against 11th placed Tarxien Rainbows and must be considered hot favourites to return to winning form and once again overtake Gzira in third place, at least until the Maroons take on Senglea next Sunday.
But they cannot underestimate the Rainbows who have shown considerable improvement of late to move up two places above St Andrews and Naxxar in the battle against relegation.
It is pertinent to say that the Rainbows have won a good eight points from their last five matches though they are aware they have a very difficult 4-match programme facing them.
Apart from Birkirkara today, they still have to face league leaders Balzan, then Hibernians in the rival derby as well as St Andrews in a direct relegation battle on the final day.
Programme
Today
Centenary Stadium: Bank of Valletta Premier League 7pm Tarxien R.-Birkirkara.
Tomorrow
Hibernians Stadium: Bank of Valletta Premier League 2pm Floriana-Naxxar L.; 4pm Hamrun S.-Sliema W.
National Stadium, Ta’ Qali: Bank of Valletta Premier League 2pm Balzan-Mosta; 4pm St Andrews-Valletta.
Sunday
National Stadium, Ta’ Qali: Bank of Valletta Premier League 2pm Gzira U.-Senglea Ath.; 4pm Hibernians-Lija Ath.