Valletta captain Ryan Fenech (right) beats the challenge of Edward Herrera, of Birkirkara. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi

Valletta and Birkirkara will be aiming to lay down an early marker when they meet in the BOV Super Cup contest today at the National Stadium (kick-off 7.30pm).

The match-up heralds the start of a new season but the dramatic events that defined its predecessor will loom large over this en-counter, the first competitive clash between these two fierce rivals since their riveting title showdown in April.

Having overhauled the Stripes at the finish line following a 2-0 victory in that final-day thriller, Valletta are gunning to recapture the Super Cup, knowing that a win would give them an early psychological edge over a team that are again expected to be among the main contenders for the title.

Ryan Fenech, the Valletta captain, is relishing the prospect of holding aloft another piece of silverware after the league and FA Trophy last season.

“We’re going out to win this game,” he told Times of Malta.

“As a team, we’re looking forward to the game. Winning breeds confidence and improves the atmosphere within the squad.

“It promises to be an interesting encounter as Birkirkara have changed players and we also have a couple of new faces.”

Birkirkara will be going all out to gain a modicum of revenge for their upset to the Citizens on April 26

Midfielder Roderick Briffa is set to miss the game due to injury and Ryan Camilleri is ranked as doubtful.

Coach Gilbert Agius received a significant boost this week with the news that defender Steve Borg has inked a new five-year deal with Valletta.

Fenech hailed Borg’s return as a massive plus for the Whites.

“Steve Borg gives us a lot of strength,” Fenech said.

Gambian midfielder Hamza Barry is yet to rejoin Valletta for training after his move to Esperance was called off.

The City captain admitted that the rivalry with Birkirkara has raised expectations for today’s game.

“For us, it’s a game like the others but you only have to see the social media sites to realise that the level of anticipation among the fans is high,” Fenech said.

“There is a growing rivalry bet-ween the fans after we beat Birkir-kara to the title on the final day of last season. Our aim is to carry on where we left off in April.”

While the champions are seeking to inflict another blow on their rivals, Birkirkara will be going all out to gain a modicum of revenge for their upset to the Citizens on April 26.

The Stripes have elected to refresh their squad and several players, including first-choice strikers Shola Shodiya Haruna and Jhonnattann, and Malta midfielder Rowen Muscat, have left with the club recruiting three Brazilians and midfielder Edmond Agius (ex-Valletta) to compensate for their departures.

In light of these changes, coach Paul Zammit is not looking at this game as more than just an opportunity to retain the Super Cup.

“We’re not looking at this game as a chance to win a trophy, albeit we are aware that there is an honour at stake,” he said.

“We have been working since May 29 and have already tackled some important challenges like the Europa League games. We are trying to find our feet with the new elements we have in our squad.

“Birkirkara’s priority is to integrate the new ones who have just come into our system.”

The core of the Stripes team is the same but against Valletta they will be without two key midfielders as Paul Fenech is suspended and Gareth Sciberras is recovering from a fractured fibula.

Zammit conceded that the Super Cup will inevitably evoke memories of their final-day title upset to Valletta, insisting that the entire Birkirkara clan must be mentally strong to overcome the challenges ahead.

Zammit said: “Looking back at that game, without detracting from the merits of our opponents, it was a big disappointment for us as we were the most consistent team throughout the season.

“We lost everything in the last 90 minutes and that is the reality.

“Now our first competitive game of the new season is against Valletta. Everyone knows what happened in the last game and in a way we’re still a wounded team.

“We are now facing a very important question... are we strong enough to bounce back? This applies not only to the players but also to the technical staff and the supporters.

“We have lost a championship on the last day of the season and the new campaign will be a huge test for our character.”

New Brazilian signings Eliandro and Liliu are expected to make the squad today.

Adrian Murcia Sanchez is likely to stand in for Justin Haber if the latter loses his fitness battle but the Spanish goalkeeper’s future with Birkirkara is still uncertain.