Valletta to lift trophy, promotion and relegation battles dominate final matchday

Photo by Joe Borg

BOV Challenge League Matchday 22 Preview
Top 8

Valletta FC vs Marsa FC (12.04.25, National Stadium, 15:30hrs)

Valletta FC will be crowned champions of the BOV Challenge League on Saturday. A large turnout is expected at the National Stadium for their final league match against Marsa FC, with the Lilywhites lifting the trophy.

Valletta are coming off the back of an 11-game winning run, and they will be determined to close the league season off with another win to ensure they make it to a remarkable 59 points for the campaign.

They will be facing a Marsa side that is badly out of form, with their disappointing results since the split into the Top 8 leading to them falling drastically down the table, with them now occupying the bottom spot in the Top 8 section. Marsa have lost their last five games, and are finding it difficult to be tight at the back.

Marsa will try all they can to crash Valletta’s party, but the Lilywhites are strong favourites to come away with the win to mark the celebratory day.

Swieqi United vs Santa Lucia FC (13.04.25, Victor Tedesco Stadium, 17:30hrs)

On Sunday, all eyes will be on the promotion battle at the upper half of the BOV Challenge League, as Swieqi United and Tarxien Rainbows FC battle it out for a place in the top tier.

Swieqi, who start the final matchday in third place, will be facing Santa Lucia FC, who prior to their defeat to Valletta last week, were in great form.

The Owls have found it difficult in recent weeks, recording back-to-back defeats that have seen them lose the lead they had over Tarxien. As a result, their only chance of promotion is if they manage to beat Santa Lucia and Tarxien unexpectedly lose to Mgarr United. Given the contrasting form that Swieqi and Tarxien have showcased in recent weeks, this outcome is highly unlikely, but not impossible.

Santa Lucia will be tough opposition for Swieqi, particularly since the Saints were not so easy for Swieqi to get past in the first encounter back in September, when Santa Lucia had not yet hit their stride. Santa Lucia have improved dramatically since then, and are particularly dangerous going forward.

As a result, Swieqi will need to be on their game, and will require a stroke of luck, if they are to give themselves a chance of securing a route back to Maltese football’s top tier.

Tarxien Rainbows FC vs Mgarr United (13.04.25, Centenary Stadium, 17:30hrs)

At the same time, Tarxien will be taking on Mgarr at the Centenary Stadium, knowing that a draw will be enough for them to return to the Premier League after a four-year absence.

Tarxien have pounced on Swieqi’s drop in form over recent weeks, with the Rainbows winning their two previous games, and also managing to earn a point against the Owls. This has led to them occupying the runners-up spot, leapfrogging Swieqi with them now having three points.

Tarxien will need to be wary of their opponents though, as Mgarr have been a difficult side for the top teams in the division to get past. In fact, the Greens managed to overcome the Rainbows in their previous clash back in December. Mgarr’s form of late has been very mixed, having recorded impressive wins against Swieqi and Pietà Hotspurs FC, but most recently a defeat against Zurrieq FC.

Therefore, while Tarxien’s impressive end-of-season form will most likely see them return to the top tier, they will still need to be at their best against an impressive Mgarr side.   

Zurrieq FC vs Pietà Hotspurs FC (13.04.25, Centenary Stadium, 20:00hrs)

In the last match of the BOV Challenge League’s final matchday, Zurrieq will face off against Pietà in a game that is more about sides getting one over their opponents, with the two teams being unable to get promoted.

With three points separating the two sides, this match is expected to be very tight, especially considering each team will want to finish the season with back-to-back wins.

In their early-season lash back in September, Zurrieq had emerged as 2-1 winners thanks to a late penalty from Sulahmana Mamadu Bah. The forward has been in incredible form this season, having an impressive tally of 19 goals for the season, the most in the division. He will be coming into this encounter full of confidence, having scored four goals in his last four matches.

Pietà will be determined to get back-to-back clean sheets, having recorded their first shutout last week since the mid-February. The Hotspurs have been very dangerous going forward, especially since the start of the Top 8 phase.

Top 8 table ahead of MD22:

1) Valletta - 56 points
2) Tarxien Rainbows - 38 points
3) Swieqi United - 35 points
4) Pietà Hotspurs - 34 points
5) Zurrieq - 31 points (+1)
6) Santa Lucia – 31 points (-5)
7) Mgarr United – 30 points
8) Marsa – 29 points

Play-Out

Lija Athletic FC vs Zebbug Rangers FC (12.04.25, Sirens Stadium, 15:00hrs)

In the Play-Out section, the relegation battle will have to go right down to the wire, as Mtarfa FC, Lija Athletic FC, Senglea Athletic FC are all still in with a chance of survival.

Lija will be taking on Zebbug Rangers FC at the Sirens Stadium, knowing that they will need to get a win and Mtarfa and Senglea to lose their respective matches to be safe.

Lija have improved over the past few weeks, yet they missed out on a great chance to improve their position in the relegation battle after recording a draw against Senglea last time out. Lija will be without Sheldon Briffa for this encounter, after he received a straight red card during last week’s game.

On the other hand, there will be no pressure on Zebbug, given they secured their place in next season’s BOV Challenge League last month. Zebbug will still want to end a relatively difficult season on a positive note. The match will be particularly vital for Duvan Mosquera Torres, who is battling with Zurrieq’s Mamadu Bah to be the division’s top scorer.

Lija will need to be at their very best to keep the Zebbug forward quiet, and will have to rely on if Mtarfa can stumble in their road to safety.

Sirens FC vs Senglea Athletic FC (12.04.25, Victor Tedesco Stadium, 15:00hrs)

Senglea’s chances of safety are much slimmer, as they need both of their relegation rivals to falter, while they will have to beat Sirens on Saturday to force a relegation decider.

Senglea have found it difficult to pick up points all season, yet one of their three wins actually came against Sirens back in January. Senglea will be without Tyrone Fenech after seeing red against Lija last week.

Senglea’s only solace is that they will be facing a side that is arguably in worse form than them, as Sirens have lost three consecutive matches. However, the bottom-placed club will need to be wary of the fact that Sirens have a really impressive frontline, and have scored in all but two matches this season, against Lija and Valletta.

Mtarfa FC vs Fgura United (12.04.25, Centenary Stadium, 15:00hrs)

Mtarfa, the side currently outside of the relegation zone, will have a very tough task in front of them, as they face a Fgura United side that has been in ruthless form since the league was split.

While Mtarfa will come into the game as massive underdogs, they have shown that they are capable of a stunning result in recent weeks, and their form was improved drastically under coach Rodney Bugeja. Over the past five matchdays, they have picked up 10 points, a tally that has seen them dramatically rise in the standings.

Fgura have won all of their last five games, showcasing excellent form in front of goal, with the Reds scoring 18 goals during that period. While Fgura have nothing to play for, they will want to end the season on a high note, especially following the disappointment of only just missing out on a spot in the Top 8.

Should Mtarfa manage to get a surprise win, it will ensure safety and a place in next season’s BOV Challenge League, a remarkable turnaround following their difficult start to the campaign.

St Andrews FC vs Gudja United (12.04.25, Victor Tedesco Stadium, 17:30hrs)

The final match of the Play-Out section will see two sides who are safe from the drop face off against one another.

St Andrews FC have been in sensational form since the start of the Play-Out phase, having recorded six consecutive wins, even beating the likes of Fgura in that run. Their good run of form has been characterised by defensive solidity, yet they abandoned that in their last match, winning 5-2 against Zebbug.

On the other hand, Gudja United have been rather hit or miss this season. They have put up a great fight against the sides towards the top, yet have struggled against teams lower down the table, with them being beaten by Mtarfa and Lija in recent weeks, while also recording draws against Senglea and Zebbug.

While the match will only be a matter of pride, determining who finishes behind Fgura in the Play-Out section, both teams will want to finish the season positively so that they go into the following campaign in high spirits.

Play-Out table ahead of MD22:

1) Fgura United – 36 points
2) St Andrews – 28 points
3) Gudja United – 26 points
4) Sirens – 24 points
5) Zebbug Rangers – 21 points
6) Mtarfa – 17 points
7) Lija Athletic – 16 points
8) Senglea Athletic – 14 points