Valletta and Sliema Wanderers will be gunning for the first honour of the 2010/11 season when they face off in the final match of the Euro Cup this evening at the Centenary Stadium (kick-off 6.15 p.m.).
Both teams go into today's clash in high spirits after winning their opening match against Birkirkara but a draw would be enough for Valletta to claim the cup as the Citizens lead Sliema on goal difference.
A revamped Sliema team, featuring no fewer than five foreign players, enjoyed a winning start after inflicting a 3-1 defeat on the champions in the competition's curtain-raiser on Monday.
Valletta also gave a good account of themselves in their first outing as goals from Brazilian trialist Hercules Cardoso Ottoni, Ian Zammit, from a penalty, and Dyson Falzon ensured a victorious debut for coach Jesmond Zerafa.
"I was positively surprised with the team's performance," Zerafa said. "It is still early days but I was pleased with the commitment and determination shown by the players.
"The result was also satisfying but in this type of matches, it's the team's performance that really interests me."
The Citizens' satisfaction at their emphatic dismissal of Birkirkara was tempered by the eye injury that forced captain Gilbert Agius to leave the field after just 24 minutes. According to Zerafa, Agius's injury is not serious but the veteran midfielder will not be in the squad today.
Jamie Pace, Kenneth Scicluna, Terrence Scerri and Doding Priso are still unavailable for Valletta who have reportedly increased their efforts to sign Brazilian forward Denni from Tarxien Rainbows.
Omonigho Temile, the older brother of Nigerian forward Frank Temile, arrived in Malta yesterday and could be in Zerafa's squad today.
Although Valletta are widely expected to do their utmost to give their fans an early cheer by lifting the Euro Cup trophy, Zerafa insisted that his top priority is for his team to produce another solid performance in preparation for their Europa League second qualifying round tie against FC Shakhtyor Karagandy, of Kazakhstan, or Poland's KS Ruch Chorzow.
"There is a cup at stake and Valletta will try to win it but that's not the most important thing," Zerafa said. "These matches are intended to enhance our preparations for the European commitments and our aim is to put on another good showing."
Mark Marlow, the Sliema coach, shares Zerafa's views. "Given that we need a victory to top this competition, we will set out to win this game but our main objective is to build on our performance against Birkirkara," Marlow said.
"These matches are part of our build-up for the European commitments."
A bold effort today would raise Sliema's spirits ahead of the trip to Croatia next week to face Sibenik in the their initial leg of their first qualifying round match of the Europa League.
Marlow has been heartened by his side's showing against Birkirkara.
"I was very pleased with our performance," Marlow said. "There were seven new players in our team, including five foreigners who are not 100 per cent fit as they only started to train with us recently.
"Nonetheless, they acquitted themselves well against Birkirkara as did the other players who were involved in the match."
Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza limped off after hurting his ankle in the dying stages of Monday's encounter but the Sliema striker is likely to be available today as his injury is not serious.
Winger Miguel Ciantar is struggling with a hamstring strain and Clayton Failla and Alex Muscat are still on the sidelines.