Greens top of the table after five outings, Owls placed second last year
Mġarr United will test their title ambitions when they face Swieqi United in the Assikura Women’s League highlight match of the weekend.
The Greens sit top of the table having secured four victories in their opening five league outings.
The non-winning game was a thrilling 3-3 draw against Hibernians when Mġarr cancelled a two-goal deficit to salvage a point in the second half.
During the summer transfer window, Mġarr made a statement of intent in view of this season’s title challenge having reinforced with four foreigners including Brazilian offensive players Joelma and Fernanda Peinado.
Joelma, who was at the back of a North Macedonia spell, is currently the league’s best scorer with nine goals.
The Brazilian propelled Mġarr to a big win over Lija Athletic in their latest outing, scoring a hat-trick.
Peinado, on her part, is a former Swieqi United player with whom she played for two seasons and won last year’s domestic cup albeit not playing a part in the final.
She has also enjoyed a bright start to her Mġarr spell with seven goals including two against Lija, last weekend.
Their firepower upfront reflects in their league’s statistics as they boast the best attacking record with 24 goals.
On the other hand, Swieqi have the second’s best defensive record having conceded only four times including twice in their 2-1 defeat at the hands of Hibernians last month.
Swieqi, who scored 21 goals so far, have nine points from four games and are at the back of a 5-1 win over Valletta in the previous matchday.
Karima and Salamatu Abdulai, two forwards hailing from Ghana, have already combined for 14 goals together as they share second spot in the league’s scoring charts.
Saviour Darmanin’s side finished second last season and are looking to mount another title challenge with the aim to halt Birkirkara’s dominance.
A win would help the Owls stay close to the perch while adding more uncertainty to a campaign which promises to be one of the most competitive in recent years.
Meanwhile, champions Birkirkara will be eyeing a fourth straight win when they open Matchday 6 against Valletta.
The Stripes earned a hard-fought win against Hibernians to extend their league unbeaten run to 90 games and move one win away from securing their 400th in their history.
Jose Borg’s team have recorded a perfect start so far, scoring 21 goals and conceding none translating into three victories.
Marta Grosso and Raina Giusti are the club’s leading scorers so far, with four goals each with the latter scoring Birkirkara’s second in their Hibernians victory last weekend.
Women’s league debutants Valletta have scored six points in five games in this campaign and have lost to Swieqi in their latest appointment.
The bright note from that game was Marcelle’s third goal of the season with the Brazilian joining Denis Guerra’s side during the summer transfer window.
Elsewhere, Hibernians will be looking to bounce back to winning ways when they take on San Ġwann.
The Paolites saw their unbeaten start come to an end after losing to rivals Birkirkara.
Keith Gouder’s side sit second on 10 points, trailing Mġarr by three as they look to keep the heat on the leaders.
Last week, San Ġwann picked their first win of the season when they eased past Mtarfa 3-0 with captain Andela Kricak scoring twice.
Julian Camilleri’s side sit sixth in the eight-team league with four points, having also gained a point in a draw with Lija Athletic early in season.
MD6 FIXTURES
THURSDAY
Birkirkara vs Valletta – 20.15, Centenary Stadium
FRIDAY
Mtarfa vs Lija Athletic – 20.30, Victor Tedesco Stadium
SATURDAY
San Ġwann vs Hibernians – 15.00, Mġarr Ground
Swieqi United vs Mġarr United – 17.30, Mġarr Ground
Photo: Neil Fitzpatrick Photography.
