Neptunes and Sliema will cross paths again in the league.

Undisputed National League leaders Neptunes Grimaldi could become champions of Malta for a fifth successive year tomorrow if they avoid defeat to sporting antagonists Sliema Frank Salt as the Championship Pool edges closer to its final week of competition.

Sergey Markoch’s Reds are currently eight points ahead of their nearest rivals in the standings with three matches left and a draw will be enough from their next match against Sliema to seal the title.

The Blues will have to lift their motivation levels by several notches to keep their interest in the championship going following a lacklustre performance against third-placed San Ġiljan Allcare in their last outing.

On Saturday, the Saints dented Sliema’s aspirations by no small measure when they beat them (12-9) for the first time this summer to maintain their chances of finishing second in the league standings at the end of the season.

The Reds have shown the better qualities in this championship and they are still unbeaten after 11 matches, having also triumphed in the KO competition after beating Sliema in the final earlier this month.

Today’s two-match programme opens with the First Division clash between leaders Marsascala Mor€ and second-placed Marsa-xlokk Fischer.

Marsaxlokk are coming from a hard-earned 8-7 win over Otters Nivea and they will have to produce the same kind of commitment and determined play to stop Marsascala from making the top position theirs with one match to spare.

The top team in the First Division will play Exiles Ferretti in a best-of-three series for a place in the Premier League next season.

Programme

Playing today: 18.45 Marsascala Mor€ vs Marsaxlokk Fischer. 20.00 Exiles Ferretti vs Valletta McDonald’s.
Tomorrow: 18.45 Otters Nivea vs Ta’ Xbiex Amigos; 20.00 Neptunes Grimaldi vs Sliema Frank Salt Real Estate.

Premier League

First Division