Champions Valletta and FA Trophy winners Birkirkara go head to head for the first major honour of the 2008-09 season when they contest the Super Cup final at the National Stadium this evening (kick-off 8 p.m.).
After their fleeting participation in European competitions, both Valletta and Birkirkara are now fully focused on their preparations for the start of the Premier League later this month and victory this evening would be just the ideal tonic.
The two rivals have already made their bow on the domestic scene this season through their involvement in the Euro Challenge Cup. Birkirkara were declared winners after finishing top of the triangular mini-league which also featured Marsaxlokk.
Valletta and Birkirkara drew 1-1 in the Euro Challenge Cup, Ian Zammit cancelling out Alan Tabone's early opener for the Stripes. That match came a few weeks after the two teams began their pre-season training and certainly, today's clash should provide a clearer indication about their potential.
Paul Zammit, the Valletta coach, says tonight's match could be the ideal launch pad for his players towards another rewarding domestic campaign.
"I'm very pleased with the team's progress in this early phase of the season," Zammit told The Times.
"Our performances in the Champions League were very encouraging.
"We faced a very strong team in Artmedia and, despite having no foreign players in our squad, we still managed to put up a very stiff challenge.
"At present, our top priority is to boost our preparations for the start of our title defence and victory over Birkirkara would surely help to improve the feel-good factor in our clan."
The Valletta coach has two key players missing for today's clash. Goalkeeper Andrew Hogg is likely to be out for three to four weeks after suffering an ankle injury in training with the national squad while defender Luke Dimech will serve the first of a two-match ban he received after his sending-off in the Euro Challenge Cup match against Marsaxlokk.
Cameroon striker Priso Doding is expected to make his first appearance for the Citizens after his move from Msida St Joseph while midfielder Cleaven Frendo, who is recovering from an ankle problem, is likely to start on the bench.
Zammit is expecting a hard challenge from Birkirkara who, according to the City coach, have improved significantly under the guidance of coach John Buttigieg.
"Birkirkara are very tough clients, no doubt," Zammit said.
"In John Buttigieg Birkirkara have a very good coach who has managed to turn the team into a well-organised outfit. After their excellent performances last season, I regard them among the leading candidates for the major honours.
"It's important that we go into the match fully concentrated on the task at hand. The early signs are that we have a better and stronger squad than last season but we must show this on the field of play."
Valletta's bid to collect their first honour of the season is set to face a stern challenge from Birkirkara.
After their exit from the UEFA Cup, following a 7-0 aggregate drubbing to Croatian side Hajduk Split, coach John Buttigieg will be urging his players to prove that they remain a force to be reckoned with in local football by beating their rivals today.
"The Super Cup is a very important match for us," Buttigieg said yesterday. "Although the Euro Challenge Cup is not one of the main honours in Maltese football, our victory in that competition has filled the players with much-needed confidence ahead of our Super Cup clash against Valletta.
"Football is all about winning trophies and we will do our best to bring the Super Cup back to our club. Certainly, we have a very difficult task as Valletta are very strong but we have shown on several occasions that we can beat them."
Buttigieg has a near full complement at his disposal today with midfielder Shaun Bajada the only player in doubt as he has yet to fully recover from the foot injury he suffered against Hajduk last month. New signing Trevor Cilia is likely to make his debut for Birkirkara today.
Although pleased with his team's preparations for the Premier League campaign, Buttigieg warned that victory in the Super Cup this evening would not necessarily mean that his team could be considered among the favourites for the title.
"It's important that we do not get carried away if we manage to win the Super Cup," Buttigieg said.
"Last season, Hibs won the Euro Challenge Cup and the Super Cup but endured a very disappointing campaign in the league.
"It's good to win trophies but at the same time, one has to keep one's feet on the ground and work hard throughout the season. That has been our mantra at Birkirkara and it will remain like that, whatever the outcome of our match against Valletta."