Birkirkara and Hibernians will give life to another rivalry encounter as they take on each other on the final day of the BOV Women's League, with the championship at stake, tonight at the Mosta Ground (kick-off: 8.15pm). 

Separated by just one point, the Stripes, winners of last year's league, are leading the championship on 46 points followed by the 12-time league winners Hibs on 45. 

The two historic rivals in women's football have already met twice this season, with the first encounter ending in a goalless stalemate while the Paolites emerged winners 1-0 in the second round.

In fact, this win had enabled them to overtake Birkirkara at the top of the championship only to slip back to second a couple of weeks later after being held by Mġarr United 0-0 with the Stripes profiting as they defeated Kirkop United 2-0.

Now, at the third time of asking, the Stripes could afford not to beat Hibs once again as at least a point would guarantee them their seventh title in their history. 

"We have prepared very well for this game and I am sure that my players are ready to put on a brave display," Melania Bajada, Birkirkara's coach said to timesofmalta.com. 

"I know that if we work collectively and be determined to win, we can clinch the title once again."

Speaking about the head-to-head challenge with the Paolites, Bajada underlined that the competitiveness of the league helped them to remain concentrated in every game.

"I think this was one of the best leagues ever, wide open until the final day," she said.

"Mentally affected us in a positive way because we kept our level of concentration very high which helped us to maintain our title challenge until the end."

On the other part, Hibs' coach Neil Zarb Cousin, who recently was also part of Mario Muscat's staff with the men's team, is very confident about his team's chances.

"Despite the obvious importance of Wednesday’s game, we have always looked at our next fixture as our most important one of the season. So our approach and mentality will be as it has been all season. The only difference is that this time around, we know that only a win will suffice," Cousin underlined. 

"It has been a very demanding season for all of us, but whatever the outcome of the last game against Birkirkara, I am very proud of how far we have all come, especially considering that this time last season we had been out of the title race by now."

This was his first experience in women's football and when asked about his experience so far, he immediately praised his players for helping him in making his introduction to the movement much more easier.

"So, I’m very proud of all the efforts of all the players, and everyone else involved with the club. I feel very privileged to have had the opportunity to work with them all," he explained.

"From a personal perspective, I can honestly say that the unity and strong work ethic shown by the players, each and every member of the club administration, not to mention the invaluable help and continuous support of coach Daniel Sissons, have made this first experience in women’s football a very positive one indeed."

Standings:

Championship Pool - Birkirkara 46; Hibernians 45; Mġarr United 29; Raiders (Luxol) 28; Kirkop United 15; Tarxien Rainbows 8. 

Relegation Pool - Swieqi United 22; Fgura United 11; Mosta 4. 

Other fixtures:

Mġarr United vs Raiders (Luxol) - Mġarr Ground (8.15pm).

Kirkop United vs Tarxien Rainbows - Żebbuġ Ground (8.15pm).