Key matches for top teams in Assikura Women’s League

Swieqi face Mġarr, Raiders Lija meet Hibernians

A crucial week of Assikura Women’s League football is coming up as four of the top five-placed teams in the championship will rub shoulders in a couple of key encounters.

Meanwhile, leaders Birkirkara will be looking to extend their unbeaten run when they take on Mtarfa.

Swieqi United currently sit second as they trail the Stripes by three points having both played nine games so far.

The Owls are at the back of a large victory over San Ġwann, who will serve a bye this week, scoring nine goals without a reply.

Led by Dutch coach Judith Kuipers, Swieqi continue to boast the league’s best offensive record as now they have found the net on 45 occasions.

Nine of those goals are scored by Jade Flask who is the league’s best scorer so far, sharing top spot with Raiders Lija’s Lexine Farrugia.

They also share the league’s best defensive record together with Birkirkara, having conceded just twice.

Swieqi’s opponents for this week will be Mġarr, who sit third on 17 points – three behind the Owls, but having played an extra game.

The Greens will face this game in high spirits having beaten Raiders Lija in their latest league appointment.

Captain Brenda Borg scored the all-important goal to hand Mġarr their fifth win of the season in 10 league appointments.

A victory that lifted them into third place as they are looking to keep the heat on the top two teams. They have a positive goal difference of 15 goals, with 22 scored and just seven conceded.

In the reverse fixture, Mġarr and Swieqi had cancelled each other out in a goalless stalemate.

In another intriguing head-to-head clash this week, Raiders Lija and Hibernians will square off at the Centenary Stadium.

The two teams are level on 16 points, with Hibernians playing an extra game. Keith Gouder’s side lost 2-0 to Birkirkara in their most recent league game.

They have scored 31 goals so far while allowing 11 against them.

Raiders, on their part, lost to Mġarr 1-0 as both teams are looking to bounce back to winning ways.

Hibernians defeated Raiders Lija 2-0 in the first round game played at the Sirens Stadium.

Leaders Birkirkara will be eyeing their eighth win of the season as they face struggling Mtarfa.

The Stripes, who scored 26 goals in total so far, are expected to have newly-signed Brisa Campos in their selection.

The Argentine forward joined during this winter transfer window as Birkirkara continue to bolster their squad.

Meanwhile, Mtarfa served a bye last week and are currently on three points after nine league outings.

THIS WEEK’S FIXTURES

TUESDAY

Swieqi United vs Mġarr United – Centenary Stadium, 20.00

WEDNESDAY

Raiders Lija vs Hibernians – Centenary Stadium, 20.00

Birkirkara vs Mtarfa – Mġarr Ground, 20.30

MD12 bye: San Ġwann.

Photo: Mark Zammit Cordina/Malta FA