This weekend’s matches delivered the final verdict in the BOV Premier League at the end of the first phase. The decisive direct clash between Msida St Joseph and Hamrun Spartans on Sunday went the former’s way to guarantee them the last place available in the Championship Pool and thus early safety.

Sliema displaced Hibernians in second place after a good 3-0 win against Pieta Hotspurs. With the points halved, the champions are only one point adrift of leaders Birkirkara and one above Hibernians.

Marsaxlokk’s win against the latter, albeit in a most lucky fashion, also kept them well in the hunt, with 17 points.

Marsaxlokk’s better spell in the second round, going on an unbeaten seven-match streak, leaves them as outsiders for a first championship win. The change of coach, a bad choice of foreigners (Bart Williams) and several injuries might have hampered their progress but if they concentrate fully, they carry enough talent, with a blend of youngsters and experienced players, to put up a decent challenge to the top three.

Hibernians’ problem seems to be their lack of a big squad. If key players are injured or out of form, the whole team suffers, with few adequate replacements.

The Paolites, who at one time were also league leaders, are lacking lucidity in their performances of late, exactly for this reason. They have also been failing to breach opposing defences, with Cohen starving for goals, besides conceding too many ‘silly’ goals. Having said that, it would be no surprise if they were to mount yet a serious challenge in the second phase when they are out of the present bad patch. Credit for Hibernians for the way they integrate young players so regularly into the side, as Julian Vella, Ben Camilleri, Edmond Agius and Jonathan Pearson come quickly to mind. But it is hard to see them going all the way for a championship win.

Valletta have reached their aim so far – that of making it to the Championship Pool. Not much for any fears of being relegated, but more for the club’s status. It is hard for the disgruntled Valletta fans to accept that their present team is no more the one of the glorious recent past. At one time during the first phase there were fears that Valletta would not do it, but some good work from the City committee, including a change of coach and a reshuffle in the squad, seems to have finally hit the right blend.

Valletta have some hard workers in the team, such as Massimo Grima, Kevin Cassar, Rene Forace, Jonathan Bondina and Keith Fenech. The addition of Claude Mattocks should give them hegemony in midfield. Argentine Monesterolo is fast proving a good buy in attack and as long as their flagship Gilbert Agius keeps delivering, Valletta can definitely improve on fifth place in the standings.

Msida’s top-six finish was a deserved one in the final analysis. Their showing and results in the first round speak more for this statement than the second, when their form slumped drastically as they lost their winning touch. The departure of their dynamic midfielder Roderick Bajada as well as rumours that several other players, including goalkeeper Omar Borg and striker Ibrahim Babatunde, as well as injuries to Dino Cauchi and Charles Sciberras might have all contributed to the team’s bad patch in the second round, so much so that they only clinched the remaining Championship Pool berth on the last day.

The going looks also tough and complicated in the Relegation Pool. Only two points now separate the first three teams. Hamrun and Floriana are tied on ten each. Pieta Hotspurs are two points behind.

Both the Spartans’ and Floriana’s bad start to the season seems to be the main reason for them missing a top-six finish. Newly promoted Hamrun took too long to settle into the new Premiership environment. Not until they changed their first choice of foreigners and added some more faces, did they find their momentum, although they had lost too many precious points by then.Their defence is also a cause for concern. Only Mosta have conceded more goals. They also need to be fully concentrated throughout the 90 minutes. So often they throw away spirited starts and end miserably in unwarranted defeats. But no doubt they are good enough to avoid the drop.

Floriana’s impressive second round, suffering only one defeat, made up for the team’s winless first but not enough to surpass the Relegation Pool.

What else can they expect? Jan Artz has put in more confidence and unity into his young side – at times they fight like fearless lions. Enthusiasm has won them important matches that looked beyond them. If they keep the same spirit they may survive.

So that leaves Pieta and Mosta for the drop? Looks likely but football is full of surprises. The young Hotspurs’ side lacks the required experience, although they never fail to surprise. They are a curious lot, capable of some of the Premiership’s most plodding football at times and yet equally able, on occasions, to resemble a top-six side.

Mosta have a bigger burden. With only two wins, reduced to four points after the first phase, they face a daunting task of winning all their forthcoming matches to avoid the drop. It is no secret that for all their will, Mosta lack the required qualities of a Premier team, although their resilience belies their inexperience.

That leaves the top two – Birkirkara and Sliema Wanderers – with heavy burdens of expectation as main contenders for the title. It has been so from the very start although some may have doubted with Sliema’s runaway start of the season, winning all of the first eight matches. Pieta put on brakes, handing them a first defeat at the end of the first round and Sliema lost much of their gloss ever since. The togetherness that was once the side’s strength is no longer there. Some of the players are a shadow of what they once were. Is it lack of motivation? Is it only a temporary crisis of form? Last weekend, the Wanderers showed some signs of resurgence. They will surely rise to the occasion, so discard Sliema for a fourth consecutive title at your own risk.

Birkirkara have emerged new favourites after their brilliant performances and results of late. They are a solid unit, a well settled side, delivering to their expectations now.

Some players like William Camenzuli, Etienne Barbara and Michael Galea, not to mention George Mallia and Adrian Ciantar, are in top form. They possess the most lethal attack in the Premier League and won most matches.

But this is only the beginning. Their advantage is minimal and they cannot rest on their laurels. Hopefully they will not lose their rhythm after a nearly one-month break from action.

The Premier League resumes on 5 March. The final sprint only starts then!