The rivalry clash between Birkirkara and Mġarr United will take centre stage in the women’s league second outing of 2021, as they will face each other on Wednesday at the Dingli Ground (kick-off: 20.45).
In recent years, both Birkirkara and Mġarr have been protagonists in head-to-head challenges that often resulted decisive in title races and cup finals, elevating the status of this tie into a women’s football classic.
Wednesday’s game is set to be a crucial one for this year’s title race. Champions Birkirkara are leading the way with 24 points while Mġarr are trailing by just two points, even though the Stripes still have a game a hand.
Birkirkara are at the back of a 3-0 win over Raiders Għargħur which has extended their unbeaten run in the domestic league to 45 games now, one of the longest streaks in European football that is still active. In fact, while Birkirkara are joint-level with Slovenia’s Pomurje on 45, only Apollon Ladies of Cyprus (52), Lithuania giants Gintra (58), NSA Sofia of Bulgaria (70) and Albania powerhouse Vllaznia (0 defeats recorded) have better runs.
Mġarr, on their part, eased past Mtarfa 8-0 with forward Francesca Chircop finding the net on five occasions. The former Hibernians forward has been in a rich vein of form this season and no wonder that she is leading the top scorer list with 17 goals.
Third-place Swieqi United will also be in action this week when they take on bottom side Mtarfa. The Oranges will be striving to chalk up three valuable points in order to pile the pressure on Mġarr and Birkirkara, as they aim to keep their slim title hopes alive.
Last week, a Dorianne Theuma hat-trick and a brace from Demi Magrin propelled Swieqi to a 10-0 win against Mosta.
Elsewhere, Kirkop United and Raiders Għargħur will take on each other in what promises to be an intriguing encounter.
The Reds have been one of the most in-form sides this season, with striker Rodianne Zerafa grabbing 10 of the 24 goals they scored. They currently sit fourth on 12 points, six ahead of Raiders.
Under the guidance of coach Denis Guerra, Raiders have been also putting up some valiant displays and while their tally of points might not do them justice for their determination, they surely have been a joy to watch in majority of their games.
PROGRAMME
TODAY
MĠARR GROUND – 20.30
Swieqi United vs Mtarfa
DINGLI GROUND – 20.45
Kirkop United vs Raiders Għargħur
TOMORROW – 20.45
DINGLI GROUND
Mġarr United vs Birkirkara
Bye: Mosta
STANDINGS:
Birkirkara (8 games) 24 points; Mġarr United (9) 22; Swieqi United (9) 19; Kirkop United (8) 12; Raiders Għargħur (8) 6; Mosta (9) 6; Mtarfa (9) 0.
