Mġarr United and Swieqi United are set to face off in a crucial Assikura Women’s League encounter, this weekend.
Both teams are tied in third place on 12 points, trailing leaders Hibernians by four points after six matches.
A loss in this match could leave the defeated side seven points behind Hibernians, making their title challenge significantly harder albeit there would still be enough ground to recover with four more rounds to be played.
Both Mġarr and Swieqi are considered serious contenders for the league title this season.
Mġarr has shown resilience, having held both Hibernians and Birkirkara to 0-0 draws, while Swieqi has struggled against the top two teams, suffering defeats to both.
The Greens head into the game off the back of a commanding 5-0 victory against Lija Athletic, with five different players finding the net, including Maltese summer signing Veronique Mifsud, who opened her account.
This victory also marked Mġarr’s 200th win in domestic competitions since their debut in women’s football in 2006.
For the Owls, Jade Flask’s four-goal performance in their previous match has reinforced her status as a key figure in the attack as she aims to become a consistent goal-scorer for the team once again.
Meanwhile, league leaders Hibernians will take on Lija as they look to extend their unbeaten run.
Hibernians currently sit at the top with 16 points, three ahead of Birkirkara, having recently secured a dominant 6-0 win over San Ġwann.
Lija has managed six points so far.
Birkirkara, second in the standings, will face bottom-placed Mtarfa, who are still in search of their first points of the season.
Last weekend, Birkirkara’s veteran defender Charlene Zammit made her 300th appearance in local competitions, marking a significant milestone for the club.
The Stripes defeated Valletta to bounce back from their loss against Hibernians.
Elsewhere, San Ġwann and Valletta will face off in what promises to be an intriguing clash.
Last season, these two sides battled for the top spot in the Bottom Four group, ultimately claimed by Valletta.