Tricky Raiders Lija test for Birkirkara women

Women’s league pacesetters Birkirkara will face a tricky test in Raiders Lija in the final round of fixtures before the international break in which Mark Gatt’s Malta will host Denmark in the 2023 Women’s World Cup qualifications. This week’s games will be all played on Monday night in three different venues.

Birkirkara have once again flexed their muscles and dominated the championship as they are nine poins clear at the top of the championship. With four games left for the conclusion of the season, the Stripes are well-placed to clinch their 10th domestic title thanks also to their unbeaten run in the league of 64 games.

Led by coach Melania Bajada, Birkirkara have picked up 40 points in 14 league outings with a record of 13 wins and just one draw. They boast a positive goal difference of 59 goals, having just conceded four goals.

The Stripes, last champions back in 2019/2020, are at the back of narrow victory over Kirkop United as they capitalised on Mġarr United’s defeat to Raiders.

Raiders have been a refreshing surprise in this campaign and will be surely plotting on how to achieve another upset against one of the league’s big guns.

Denis Guerra’s side have registered some important results this season, obtaining four points at the expense of Swieqi United in two games and claiming a 2-0 win against Mġarr, last week.

Having played one more game than Swieqi, they sit fourth with 25 points as they are in the midst of an intriguing battle for the third spot with the Oranges.

Second-place Mġarr, whose slim title hopes were dealt a heavy blow last week, take on struggling Mtarfa.

The Greens are on 31 points and will be hoping in a Birkirkara slip to try and reignite the title race with a direct encounter against the Stripes coming up after the break.

Mtarfa, on their part, have collected four points this season so far.

In the other game of the night, third-place Swieqi will cross swords with bottom side San Ġwann.

The Oranges made little work of Mtarfa last week, registering a 9-0 victory.

San Ġwann have just one point to show for their efforts so far with their last game being an 8-0 defeat at the hands of Birkirkara, a fortnight ago.

TODAY’S FIXTURES

San Ġwann vs Swieqi United,CENTENARY STADIUM– 19.30

Birkirkara vs Raiders Lija, SIRENS STADIUM – 20.30

Mtarfa vs Mġarr United, MĠARR GROUND – 20.30

MD17 bye: Kirkop United.