The Bank of Valletta Premier League’s first round of matches will be concluded tomorrow as the remaining four matches are played between today and tomorrow.

The long trek in this inaugural 12-team competition started yesterday evening with the opening two matches.

Champions Valletta FC start their defence of the title tomorrow with a tricky match against an ambitious Tarxien Rainbows side. In tomorrow’s other match, Hamrun Spartans face newcomers Balzan Youths.

Today’s programme – at the Hibs Stadium - starts with the clash between Marsaxlokk and newcomers Mosta, while the match that follows involves the third newly promoted team, Mqabba, who will be facing Floriana.

It is obvious that all the clubs will be looking forward to a positive start to this season’s campaign, especially the so-called small clubs who are glad to be taking part in a 12-team competition which gives them a better chance of avoiding relegation.

The match of the weekend seems to be that being played tomorrow when Valletta could face problems against an ambitious-looking Tarxien Rainbows side.

The latter are eager to continue their improvement shown over the last two seasons and have signed three new Brazilians apart from those they had last year. Moreover, Tarxien also have other new local players among their ranks, and these include Stefan Giglio, Karl Pulo, Adrian Carabott, Karl Sammut and Nicky Vella.

The Rainbows cannot be taken lightly considering their performances over the past two seasons and Valletta will do well to be on the alert to avoid any unpleasant surprise at the start of competition.

The citizens could not have had a better start to the season. They have already won the Euro Challenge Cup and the BoV Super Cup, but they will certainly feel the probable absence of Malta striker Michael Mifsud, who is suffering from a hamstring injury after last Tuesday’s Super Cup match against Floriana – he scored all the City goals in the 3-0 win.

Valletta might also have key Brazilian midfielder Denni Rocha dos Santos missing from their line-up. He is also nursing an injury which might rule him out of tomorrow’s clash.

Last season’s Trophy winners Floriana will be eagerly wishing to forget about the 3-0 Super Cup defeat against Valletta by beating newcomers Mqabba to start the campaign on the winning trail.

The Greens, who have suspended goalkeeper Amamoo for refusing to play last Tuesday’s match, have strengthened their squad with the arrival of Nigerian striker Boris Odwong.

Mqabba are under the charge of Clive Mizzi but will have to work hard to save their status as they have elected to stick to the formation that earned them promotion last season.

Hamrun Spartans seem to be another ambitious team. New coach Jesmond Zammit has brought fresh enthusiasm in the side thanks to some notable arrivals, among them Kevin Sammut, Gianluca Calabretta, former Tarxien striker Anderson Ribeiro of Brazil and new Croatian defender Nikica Gacesa. They have now also signed Swiss player Carlo Polli who should give their midfield sector added impetus.

Their opponents, Balzan Youths, are also looking forward towards a healthy season among the elite. Coach Ivan Zammit, the former Valletta, Birkirkara and Malta international, has strengthened the side with the arrival of an Albanian defender, Bledion Guga, forward Sibalin Daniel from Hungary and Argentine striker Joaquin Dana. He has retained Brazilian striker Pedrinho and secured the serices of experienced goalkeeper Matthew Camilleri, formerly of Floriana.

Zammit’s side started the season positively, winning the Hibs Sigma tournament.

Another newcomer, Mosta, will also be looking forward to leave an impact in their return to the top league after several years.

The Blues also started positively by winning their own Mosta tournament and coach Oliver Spiteri is now banking on such players as Ian Zammit and Kurt Magro, both on loan from Valletta, as well as goalkeeper Glenn Zammit from Marsaxlokk and Sheldon Grech from Pieta, apart from foreigners Rudi Alinho, Diego Pedriaggi and Federico Tisbi.

Marsaxlokk coach Winston Muscat is hoping that the several newcomers in the side will fit in quickly in their new surroundings.

The side has lost the services of players like Gareth Sciberras, Rumen Galabov and Alfred Effiong. In return, they have secured the services of Emiliano Lattes, Modesto Valeriani, Carlos Campagnoli and Obinna Obiefule. Muscat has also retained Florent Raimy who might be unavailable this afternoon due to injury.