Final fixtures for BOV Premier League, Division 1 announced

The Malta Football Association issued the fixtures for Match-Day 26 for the BOV Premier League and the BOV First Division were released on Tuesday.

The matches will be played as follows:

FRIDAY – 26th April, 2019

NATIONAL STADIUM
18.00 Tarxien Rainbows vs Floriana
20.00 Qormi vs Mosta

HIBERNIANS STADIUM
20.00 St Andrews vs Gżira United

VICTOR TEDESCO STADIUM
20.00 Birkirkara vs Senglea Athletic

SATURDAY – 27th April, 2019

NATIONAL STADIUM
16.00 Ħamrun Spartans vs Valletta

HIBERNIANS STADIUM
16.00 Hibernians vs Balzan

CENTENARY STADIUM
16.00 Sliema Wanderers vs Pietà Hotspurs

A win for Valletta would hand them the title while in case of a draw and a win for Hibernians, a Championship decider would be necessary. Hibernians would win the title in case of a win and a defeat for Valletta.

Apart from the championship, there are another two issues yet to be decided – who will finish fourth and relegation.

Hamrun Spartans are currently fourth on 45 points, followed by Balzan on 43 and Sliema Wanderers on 42. A win for Hamrun would ensure they finish fourth while in case of a draw and a win for Balzan, the latter would take fourth place. Sliema would force a decider for fourth place with Hamrun should both Hamrun and Balzan lose and they win.

Meanwhile three teams are involved in the relegation battle. Senglea Athletic are fourth from bottom on 23 points, followed by St. Andrews on 21 and Qormi on 19. A win for Senglea would ensure they retain their Premier League status. On the other hand, if Senglea draw and St. Andrews win, a decider would be necessary to determine who will take part in the Play-Off. If Senglea lose and St. Andrews win, St. Andrews would secure their status and Senglea would take part in the Play-Off.

Qormi need to win their last game, hoping that St. Andrews lose. In that case, Qormi would take part in the Play-Off while St. Andrews would be relegated. A decider would be necessary to determine who would take part in the Play-Off and who would be relegated should Qormi win and St. Andrews are held in a draw.

The programme for Match Day 26 of the BOV First Division is as follows:

FRIDAY – 26th April, 2019

LUXOL STADIUM
18.00 Sirens vs Swieqi United
20.15 Pembroke Athleta vs Żebbuġ Rangers

SUNDAY – 28th April, 2019

CENTENARY STADIUM
13.45 Mqabba vs Gudja United
16.00 Naxxar Lions vs Marsa
18.15 San Ġwann vs Vittoriosa Stars

VICTOR TEDESCO STADIUM
16.00 Santa Lucia vs Lija Athletic
18.15 Żejtun Corinthians vs Qrendi

With Sirens declared champions and Gudja United runners-up, Santa Lucia and Naxxar Lions are still fighting for the BOV Premier League Play-Off spot. Santa Lucia need a draw to make sure of finishing third. Naxxar, on the other hand, have to win their last game, hoping for a Santa Lucia defeat.

Meanwhile Qrendi and Vittoriosa Stars are in a battle to avoid the BOV First Division Play-Off spot where they would be meeting Second Division side Mgarr United. Qrendi lie one point ahead of Vittoriosa and therefore with a win, they would condemn Vittoriosa to the Play-Off spot. In case of a draw for Qrendi and a win for Vittoriosa, Qrendi would take part in the Play-Off. On the other hand, in case of a defeat for Qrendi and a draw for Vittoriosa, a decider would be necessary.