Champions Marsaxlokk will be starting the defence of their title today when they face Pieta Hotspurs in their opening match (kick-off 6pm). The other match on the programme this evening, that between Birkirkara and Mqabba, kicks off at 8pm.

The champions will obviously be looking forward to a winning start and, on paper, they appear favourites to beat Carmel Busuttil’s Pieta side.

After helping the club lift their first title last season, Brian Talbot now has to face this year’s challenge without three key players from last season’s formation. These are Luke Dimech, Andre Schembri and Daniel Bogdanovic, even if the latter is still looking for a place in a team away from the island though still registered as a player of Marsaxlokk.

The southern seasiders have started the season on a quiet note having lost the Euro Cup and the Super Cup to Hibernians.

On the other hand, Pieta have made few changes from last season and have also lost Under 21 goalie Andrew Hogg, though in Miguel Montfort, they have a very reliable substitute.

The team revolves mainly round two foreigners, Deanov and Kondev who can provide the experience to the youngsters in their set-up.

The Pieta side does not have any special ambition, except, perhaps, that of challenging for a place among the Top Six, after having avoided relegation in the past two seasons.