The Super Five Cup did not rank among the main objectives of Valletta and Sliema Wanderers at the start of the 2003-2004 season.

Year in year out, these traditional rivals set out to win the two or minimally one of the chief domestic honours, viz. the league championship and the FA Trophy, to secure their place in European competitions.

However, with the Premiership campaign entering a decisive phase over the coming weeks, today's final (4 p.m.) has come at an ideal time for both to get a morale-booster ahead of the second half of the season.

Sliema and Valletta have enjoyed different fortunes in the first four months of the league campaign.

The Wanderers endured a slow start but seem to have rediscovered their best form. Four consecutive victories have lifted the champions to second place, just three points adrift of leaders Birkirkara.

Valletta, dogged by financial problems, have failed to establish themselves among the title contenders. Their inability to embark on a consistent run of results has left them in sixth place and still with plenty to do to secure a Championship Pool berth.

Despite Valletta's apparent difficulties, Sliema coach Edward Aquilina refuses to underestimate their threat as he knows too well that the Citizens can be very dangerous opponents, especially in finals.

"Current form counts for nothing in cup finals," Aquilina told The Sunday Times. "The team that plays better on the day will get the silverware. Valletta may be passing through some difficult times but I know that they are masters at winning cup finals," the former City coach added.

Sliema's performance in their 2-0 victory over Floriana in their last league outing and their Super Five Cup semi-final success over Birkirkara, albeit on penalties, has lifted Aquilina's optimism.

"Our form has improved considerably in the last few weeks and the team is finally showing its true potential. Against Floriana we played some excellent football, so it's important that we keep the momentum going," Aquilina said.

"We have three very important league matches coming up and we cannot afford to lose any points if we want to keep the pace with Birkirkara. A win against Valletta should make for an ideal build-up to the forthcoming fixtures."

The Sliema coach has a full complement at his disposal with the exception of Dybril Sylla who is recovering from a cartilage operation.

Striker Nenad Veselji could make his last appearance in a Sliema shirt today as he is widely expected to join Valletta next month on loan till the end of the season.

Sliema have won the Super Five Cup twice since the first edition in season 1990-91.

Atanas Marinov, the Valletta coach, faces a tougher task than his Sliema counterpart to name his starting formation as several of his first-team players are struggling for fitness.

Bulgarian forward Ivan Tonchev is out of the equation with a strained muscle while Gilbert Agius suffered a hamstring injury during Monday's 2-0 semi-final win over Hibs.

Todor Simeonov and Darren Debono are still hampered with flu and their presence today is highly doubtful.

Despite problems, Marinov is positive about Valletta's chances of recording their fifth Super Five Cup success.

"Facing Sliema is always a difficult prospect," he said.

"They have a very good team brimming with talented players who can win matches. Having said that, as our semi-final victory against Hibs showed, we tend to perform better when there is less pressure on the players. Against Sliema, we are the underdogs... I guess that is a good omen for us."

Like Aquilina, Marinov views today's final as a golden opportunity to pep up the team's morale ahead of a series of crucial league matches.

"Sunday's final is important for us because victory could provide a much-needed boost for our club that has been through some tough times in the past months.

"It would also inject confidence in the players so I'm hoping that we play to the best of our abilities and give our faithful supporters something to cheer about," Marinov said.

Third-place play-off

Today's final will be preceded by the third-place play-off between Birkirkara and Hibernians (kick-off 2 p.m.), a match which carries little importance for both clubs.

Robert Gatt and Stephen Azzopardi, coaches of Hibs and Birkirkara, are expected to draft in some young players in their initial formations.

Gatt is without goalkeeper Mario Muscat who has a hamstring problem. The Hibs coach is likely to promote several players to the senior squad from the club's U-19 side.

Azzopardi, on his part, is sure to be without the unfit Michael Galea and Mark Anthony Bonnici.

Chucks Nwoko, Haruna Doda and Roderick Briffa are struggling with slight injuries and are expected to sit out this match.