Reds one point away from title
Decider needed if Sliema prevail in derby
Neptunes Vodafone require a point from their last match of the 2007 National League this weekend to make sure of retaining the championship crown for a second year running.
The Wilkinson Sword League trek comes to a close tomorrow with the derby clash between Sliema McDonald's and Neptunes but the outcome of the major honour in the local game could be decided later than scheduled this summer if the Blues beat the Reds and thus join them at the top of the standings on 23 points.
That impasse will be unlocked with a decider which will be played as early as Monday since the KO semi-finals are already marked for next Thursday.
Obviously, the current positions in the league standings make Neptunes favourites to reach their goal but they face a mighty task to make sure of their 18th league title.
This summer, Sliema and Neptunes faced each other twice with the balance tilting the Blues' way following a victory in the Preliminary Round (10-9) and a drawn result (4-4) in the first phase of the Championship Pool.
Sergio Afric's Reds played consistently well after the nine teams in the national league were split up in Division One and Two categories last month.
Neptunes won all their matches, bar the derby, and deserve their standing as leaders while Sliema seemed to have lost their pace when the championship was halted for a three-week break for the national team to play in the European 'B' Championships in Manchester in July.
Meanwhile, the other two teams in Division One, San Giljan Zara and Sirens Hard Rock Cafe, who failed to put some consistency in their play when it mattered most, will be facing each other this evening in their remaining match.
With no particular importance attached to this fixture, both sides will be looking to sharpen up their tactics ahead of next week's KO competition.
Today: U-19 4.30 p.m. Sliema vs Neptunes. Division Two 5.45 p.m. Marsaxlokk vs Otters. Division One 7 p.m. San Giljan vs Sirens.
Tomorrow: U-19 5.30 p.m. Sirens vs Marsascala. Division One 6.45 p.m. Sliema vs Neptunes.