by Birkirkara and Hibernians will grapple over the three points to ensure their spot at the top of the table before the year end at Dingli Ground (14:00). The Stripes go into the fixture high in confidence following the Super Cup victory, but Hibernians are going into it determined to spoil the party.
The Aftermath of Lifting a Trophy
Birkirkara managed to reach a first goal by securing the Super Cup trophy earlier in the week following a 2-1 comeback against Swieqi United. The Stripes were accompanied by a strong crowd who they hope will back them to pip Hibernians later today.
The team is enjoying a high morale but Jose’ Borg noted that there is plenty more work to be done to lift the league title, “Confidence is always high after winning a trophy, but it’s important to keep our feet on the ground, because we achieved something but we don’t want to lose something else. Our main objective remains to win the league. We face an important game against Hibernians who have been leading for the past months and we’ve always been chasing them. We want to win to go top of the table for the first time this season.”
Meanwhile, Hibernians will be the fresher of the two, having played out a goalless draw a week ago, against the same Swieqi United. Despite this, they are a confident side is a force to be reckoned with. Keith Gouder is relishing the challenge against Birkirkara, “Going into this match knowing that only a positive result will keep us at the top of the table is already motivating in itself. Doing it against the team who just won the Super Cup makes it even more.”
Gouder is expecting an opponent who is focused on the task, despite the euphoria of lifting the trophy earlier in the week, “It’s understandable that Birkirkara will be confident after beating Swieqi for the first time this season, but I’m sure that we will face a team who will be focused on the game.”
Match Expectations
The first meeting between the two sides went in the favour of Birkirkara who secured a 2-0 victory. Although the Stripes enjoyed a large percentage of chances, ultimately getting enough to complete the victory, both sides appeared to struggle to hit top gear in the match.
A victory today would take Birkirkara top of the table, two points ahead of Hibernians and Mgarr United, with a game in hand which they play on Tuesday against Mtarfa. However, Hibernians seek to break away at the top.
In fact, Birkirkara’s Jose Borg expects both teams to be going out with an attacking mindset in search of the three points, “I expect Hibernians to come out with an attacking system because they are doing well, so I don’t expect them to be defensive. However, we’ll try to put pressure and stick to our systems to close out the result.”
The coach underlined the importance of being as clinical as they were in the Super Cup against a strong Hibernians’ side, “We missed several chances in the first match against Hibernians but against Swieqi United (this week) we were very clinical to take most of our chances. We want to do the same this time against Hibernians, try and finish the game as soon as possible. It’s not going to be easy because Hibs are doing well and I think that they are a very good team, but we will focus on winning the three points.”
Meanwhile, questioned about executing well with the pressure to stay top, Keith Gouder reflected on the past direct confrontations, “This is the third game that we are playing in which the result would determine if we stay at the top or not. Against Mgarr we played well and managed to achieve the three points. Last week (against Swieqi United), we suffered a bit under the pressure and we struggled to perform at our best. Nonetheless we still managed a draw. Now, we are aware that we have to put any pressure aside. Only a brave and strong performance is to be produced by the team to maintain the leadership in the standings.”
Both sides have been utilising a 4-3-3 system in recent weeks, but the Paolites have at times utilised a back-three to good effect. Birkirkara have a way of dominating possession which would mean that Hibernians would need to be ruthless in their counter-attacks if they yield too much possession.
Despite this, Keith Gouder is backing the plan and his troops to see out the job, “We try to be prepared in the best possible way for every game, and work to use our strengths and limit any weakness that the opponent can try to take advantage of. We are aware of the strength that Birkirkara possess but I know that with the right determination, self-belief and tactical discipline, the team can play at par.”
The two will initiate the final double-header before the holiday period, with the clash beginning at 14:00 at Dingli Ground. Proceedings will be followed by Swieqi United who welcome Valletta at 16:30.
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