The future of Tarxien Rainbows and Żabbar St Patrick in the YoHealth Malta Premier League faces a crucial test when the two top-flight strugglers face off in a decider at the National Stadium on Tuesday evening (kick-off: 7pm).

This decider was needed as Żabbar St Patrick and Tarxien Rainbows finished tied on 15 points in the second-from-bottom spot, and this match will determine which team finishes in 11th place and determine who will be relegated in the Challenge League next season.

Should Żabbar St Patrick beat Tarxien Rainbows on Tuesday, they will assure themselves of retaining their place in the top-flight for the second successive campaign and condemn the Rainbows to relegation.

On the other hand, a win for Tarxien would force a second decider against the same Żabbar, which will be played next Sunday at 11am.

 Żabbar come into the match in high spirits following last Thursday’s impressive 3-0 win over Hibernians and will surely be looking to continue to build on that momentum when they face the Rainbows this evening.

Coach Gilbert Agius is urging his players to keep their concentration levels at their maximum and seize the opportunity to reach their main goal of Premier League safety at the first attempt with victory over the Rainbows.

“This is a very important clash for the club of Żabbar St Patrick,” Agius told Times of Malta.

“This match represents a perfect opportunity to reach our primary goal of securing our Premier League status for a second successive season, something the club has never achieved throughout its history.

“I really feel privileged and happy to have been offered the opportunity to work at a club that is determined to fulfil its objectives.

“The fighting spirit and the determination among the players and the technical staff have been ever-present since the first day I have been working at the club. Every member of the squad, the technical staff, and the club’s administration has shown great enthusiasm and respect towards everyone.

“Now we are within touching distance of reaching our main objective, and we must make sure to take this opportunity with both hands.”

Agius is wary of the threat posed by the Rainbows, who, since the March international break, have been one of the most consistent sides in the division.

“I am expecting a very tricky clash,” Agius conceded.

“In January, Tarxien invested heavily in the squad and they are reaping the fruit of all the good work they have done.

“Their team is blessed by talented individual players who can make a difference during matches. Added to that, they are a very organised team when they don’t have the ball and are capable of creating chances out of nothing, so we need to be fully focused.”

On the other hand, Tarxien Rainbows coach Jacques Scerri has hailed his players’ resilience in recent weeks and is backing them to keep fighting in what is turning out to be a tough route to reach Premier League safety.

“Our journey has been very tough this season, as very few people gave us a chance that we could survive,” Scerri told Times of Malta.

“I am really proud of the character shown by my players, as game after game, they have shown their commitment towards the club’s badge and it’s thanks to their determination that we are still in the battle to avoid the drop.

“One has to remember that this team went through a major overhaul in January but the real turning point for us was the March international window during which the players trained hard to get their best physical condition and from then on they never looked back.

“We are on a great run of six matches without defeat but we still have a lot of work to do and we must take it one game at a time and give everything we have right from the start.

“The approach has been very clear for us. We have two finals coming up against a very strong opponent but I have great belief in my players and I am sure they will use all their energy to help the club reach its ultimate goal – to stay in the Premier League.”