The new Bank of Valletta Premier League will get underway the coming weekend and there are all the indications that this season, we will have a tight battle for the title with Valletta and Sliema Wanderers being my main favourites for the big challenge.
After the association’s annual general meeting near the end of last month where Dr Joseph Mifsud was once again re-elected for another three-year term following a tight vote with former treasurer Norman Darmanin Demajo, everyone is now looking forward towards what every local football follower expects - a keen and interesting championship at both ends of the table.
Once again, there will be no change to the format of the championship. I still cannot find any reason to believe that this present format is the right one for local football, especially after what happened last season when Marsaxlokk’s dominance killed off all the interest which had been in evidence at the final stage (Championship Pool) in previous seasons.
For example, I still find it unjust to see the leaders, at the end of the first round, having their lead cut down considerably. This is only because all teams will have their first round points halved before the start of the Championship Pool. This system, I admit, ought to bring about more interest in the proceedings, although everyone was proved wrong last season!
And it might happen yet again this season and for that matter, next season and for ever.
Yet, it seems as if Marsaxlokk will be having a somewhat hard task to defend their title as Sliema Wanderers and Valletta, at least, have been very active in the transfer market and both seem to be intent on making a great impact on the proceedings.
Both sides have had a rather dismal start to the season in the friendly encounters, even if Sliema had to play with a depleted formation for various reasons. However, it is a fact that the haul of players they have managed to sign during the past few weeks, will not only rise to the occasion, but also be able to offer a spectacle at Ta’ Qali, thus bringing back the crowds to the Stadium.
These were somewhat missing the past season as attendances dropped considerably over those of the previous season. But what can one expect when Valletta and Birkirkara are struggling in mid-table? It is these two clubs who, one must admit, bring the crowds to fill the Ta’ Qali terraces. Last year, both had a miserable season with the citizens once again failing to conquer a place in European football.
This season, I am expecting better fare at Ta’ Qali with the trio of Marsaxlokk, Valletta and Sliema being involved in the battle for the title and with Birkirkara and Hibernians possibly close behind them.
The Paolites have not been very active in the transfer market. They even lost bright prospect Matthew Bartolo to Sliema, but their crop of youngsters has continued to mature and they have already won the first two honours of the season - the Euro Cup and the Super Cup.
On the other hand, Birkirkara will be presenting a relatively new side under the charge of former Sliema, Floriana, Valletta and Malta international John Buttigieg.
The Stripes have discarded three players - Roderick Briffa and Etienne Barbara to Sliema and William Camenzuli to Marsaxlokk. Another two, Clint Micallef and Mark Anthony Bonnici are not among the coach’s plans. And they are still giving trials to some foreigners in the hope of signing one of them to join the other two already within their ranks.
It is a challenging season for the Paolites and the Stripes as they strive to remain close to the leaders as much as possible.
The top five clubs should make it to the Championship Pool once again this season leaving the others to fight it out between them for the sixth and final place.
Among these, Floriana and Hamrun Spartans seem to be better equipped than the remaining trio of Msida St Joseph, Pieta Hotspurs and Mqabba, as all these five teams will be aiming to avoid the Relegation Pool.
Floriana have had a new adventure this season - they were the only club to have gone abroad for their training camp. In Serbia they played some friendly matches, but they are still to be seen in action locally, even if Serbian coach Danilo Doncic will probably inject new life into their ranks.
The Spartans are making a quick return to Premier League football and new coach Marco Gerada will be hoping that the newcomers, especially the foreigners, will lift the side to better levels and, perhaps, even avoiding the Relegation Pool.
Msida seem to have lost ground this season as the side has lost the services of some of their best players including Omar Borg, Josef Mifsud and Ibrahim Babatunde, but they may still be an obstacle to some of the title contenders.
Pieta and Mqabba have been relatively quiet on the transfer market and they will be hoping to win the points in their clashes against the direct rivals.
Finally, I must say what a start we will be having with two keen matches already on the first card. Of course, I am referring to the Sunday clash between Hibernians and Birkirkara and the Valletta-Floriana rival derby tomorrow week.
May we all enjoy a trouble-free season as has been the case in most of local matches in the past few seasons. What we lack here is consistent good football. It is not enough to have one out of, perhaps, 12 matches, which are entertaining to watch. We all hope that the actors, that is, the players, will produce their best on the field of play every time they are in action. Spectators will only be encouraged to attend local football matches if there is a good level of play week in week out.
Henry Brincat
Sports Editor
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