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Domestic season set for enthralling finale

Published: 03-04-2018 15:10
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It’s all to play for in all divisions of the BOV Football Leagues as the 2017/18 season enters the home straight. The BOV Premier League returns this weekend after a two-week break. Everything is still up for grabs with the title race a tight and open affair as only one point separates leaders Balzan and second-placed Valletta with Gżira United a further six points back with only three matches remaining. Balzan face relegation strugglers Tarxien Rainbows on Saturday while Valletta have a tricky match against Ħamrun Spartans on Sunday. The race for a top-three finish and a guaranteed spot in the Europa League is also wide open with Birkirkara fourth on 44 points, Floriana fifth on 41 and Hibernians and Sliema Wanderers level on 39 points. Birkirkara and Hibernians go head to head on Saturday, Sliema Wanderers renew their old rivalry with Floriana while Gżira take on struggling Naxxar Lions. The relegation issue is also touch and go as, apart from bottom side Lija Athletic who are all but doomed, only two points separate Tarxien, St Andrews and Naxxar with Mosta and Senglea also needing a few more points to put their minds at ease. The last two teams in the standings at the end of the BOV Premier League championship are relegated while the third-from-bottom plays off against the third-placed team in the BOV First Division. The BOV First Division is no less intriguing with a host of teams fighting for promotion. QORMI STILL TOP, ŻEJTUN IN THE NIX Qormi missed the chance to all but seal promotion after going down 1-0 to Żejtun Corinthians last weekend, a match that drew a sizeable crowd to the Centenary Stadium. Nevertheless, Qormi are still well-placed to secure top spot and promotion as they lead Pietà Hotspurs – 2-0 winners over Sirens on Monday – by four points with three matches remaining. Żejtun have now moved into third place on 44 points to boost their play-off chances with Mqabba and Żebbuġ Rangers within touching distance on 42 and 41 points respectively. On Saturday, Żejtun will be involved in a direct clash with Mqabba, Qormi meet Vittoriosa Stars and Pietà meet relegation hopefuls Żabbar St Patrick. Further down, Rabat Ajax have already been relegated as they only have five points while Melita, who drew 2-2 with Vittoriosa Stars on Monday, face an uphill struggle to retain their status as they trail Żabbar St Patrick by five points. As in the top flight, the two bottom teams are automatically relegated and the third-from-last will set up a play-off against the third-best team in the next division. FIVE TEAMS CHASE PROMOTION In the BOV Second Division league, the promotion race is likely to go down to the wire as only six points separate the leading five teams. Swieqi United lead the way with 43 points, followed by Gudja United who face relegation-threatened St George’s on Tuesday evening, level on 42 points with Sta Luċija. Fgura United, who play Kalkara in Tuesday’s second match at the Centenary Stadium, have 40 points, three more than Siġġiewi. Swieqi United face Gudja United in a top-of-the-table clash on Sunday. In the bottom part, Għargħur have been relegated while Attard (13) and St George’s (12) are involved in a two-way fight to avoid the second relegation spot with the winner of this race facing the third-best team in the Third Division in another winner-takes-all play-off. MELLIEĦA, STA VENERA VIE FOR TITLE In the BOV Third Division championship, Mellieħa and Sta Venera Lightnings are fighting for the title. They are level on 47 points ahead of their direct encounter at the Luxol Stadium on Saturday. Xgħajra Tornadoes currently hold third place and a play-off spot on 41 points but Kirkop United, two points behind, are still in with a chance. Further down, Ta’ Xbiex and Marsaskala, level on eight points, are battling to avoid finishing last.