The new format of the Assikura Women’s League will kickstart this week with the opening action from both Top Four and Bottom Four sections.

The eight teams will be divided in two four-team sections with the clubs facing each other over three rounds.

League leaders Birkirkara will be looking to continue where they left off in the second round as they face Mġarr United, the team they beat last week.

Jose Borg’s Stripes clinched a 4-0 win with braces from Veronique Mifsud and Marta Grosso to maintain their four-point lead at the top.

Mġarr, on their part, have now slipped 11 points behind the Stripes and have underwent a coaching chance as experienced coach Patrick Curmi has taken over from Michael Mangion, who has stepped down from his role.

In another highly-awaited clash from the Top Four phase, Swieqi United face Hibernians in Saturday’s early kick-off.

The Owls are still looking for their first win against the Paolites this season with Hibernians winning 2-1 in the first round before both teams produced a drab stalemate in the second encounter.

Saviour Darmanin’s Swieqi kept their second place after last week’s win over Lija Athletic while Hibernians are third on 33 points, trailing the Owls by a single point.

For Hibernians, this will be the first game under the new guidance of Kenneth Costantino who has replaced Keith Gouder.

In the Bottom Four section, Valletta – who have the best record with 18 points – face Lija Athletic, who have scored seven points so far while San Ġwann, sitting behind Valletta on 10 points, take on Mtarfa who are the only club without a single point.