Valletta, Birkirkara and Floriana have all collected maximum points from the first two matches. There were also first wins for Hibernians, Sliema Wanderers and Qormi. The three promoted sides remain pointless as Mqabba are left looking for their first league goal with Tarxien Rainbows being the biggest disappointment so far.

Silvio Vella analysis this weekend’s Premier League matches.

The second day produced no surprises in the BOV Premier League and, by virtue of second wins, Valletta, Birkirkara and Floriana are grouped at the top of the standings with maximum points.

Have we not seen that before? Of course these three teams occupied the top three places at the end of last season. So has anything changed since? Are we expected to watch the same Valletta dominance and a couple of other teams leading the chase?

Apart from the increase in the number of teams and some other cosmetic changes in infrastructure, the level of play witnessed in local football so far is nothing out of the ordinary.

True, it is still early in the season and hopefully we will be relieved if among the other 11 teams there emerges a true challenger to Valletta’s superiority.

But the pattern needs to change.

This weekend, Valletta, Birkirkara and Floriana all won easily.

The Stripes, eager to maintain their status among the top three teams, did not struggle much against inferior Mosta and could have won more handsomely were it not for their profligacy. Even when going a man down for the last half hour, they remained firmly in control.

Floriana worked hard for their win but Tarxien Rainbows were a disappointing side and lacked the required enthusiasm to win this match.

Their defeat against Valletta on the first day was perhaps understandable. Last Saturday’s against Floriana was embarrassing to say the least. This is surely not the kind of start Tarxien might have expected.

Tarxien fielded four foreigners, plus Orosco Anonam, who is only Maltese on paper! By contrast Floriana had only two foreigners in their starting line-up, but while the Floriana players, like Mano Micallef, Pablo Doffo, Christaian Cassar and Ivan Woods, played their hearts out, Tarxien’s Brazilians’, with the exception of Daniel Bueno, performed below par.

And when Tarxien’s Brazilians do not deliver, the locals around them follow suit.

Hamrun Spartans looked doomed to their fate and showed too much respect, just like every opponent playing against Valletta is doing these days. The perception that Valletta are invincible may linger for some time, until at least they meet their waterloo.

In all probability, all the top three teams will be strengthened further in the coming matches.

There soon comes a time when Michael Mifsud, Gilbert Agius and Zongo will return in Valletta’s starting line-up to give their valid contributions. Birkirkara will have new captain and midfield dynamo Paul Fenech playing more minutes while Shaun Bajada is expected to make full recovery in two months’ time and when other foreigner Shola’s clearance arrives, he may well be a priceless addition to their squad.

That brings us to Hibernians’ win against Marsaxlokk last Friday night. There is a feeling that the Paolites could be the surprise pack this season. They seem to have injected more verve in the side with the return of Clayton Failla (already a transformed player from his Sliema days) and additions of central Brazilian defenders Balbinot and Suarez. The young Bjorn Kristensen looks more mature to take greater responsibility in midfield and ease pressure on Andrew Cohen, who is expected to perform better this season.

The talented Brazilian forward Luis Edison may prove their best buy as he joins them this season from Vittoriosa Stars. He scored a brace against Sliema in the first match and another against Marsaxlokk in the second.

Truly, Hibernians’ results so far came against opponents who have ended up with a man down and players like Jonathan Pearson and Edward Herrera have still to make a full recovery, but if early indications are correct, then Valletta may better be aware of the Paolites’ challenge.

All three newly promoted teams remain pointless after two matches. Mosta’s totally changed side against Birkirkara showed improvement from the first match.

Mqabba’s resilience again was not enough to foil superior Sliema Wanderers and Balzan Youths, already a goal down against Qormi, were reduced to tatters after Pedro Calcado’s unwarranted expulsion early in the second half.

Best player

Luis Edison Dos Santos

(Hibernians)

Brazilian Luis Edison may prove Hibernians’ most prized acquisition this season. The nippy forward continues to show his talent in his second season in the Premier League after leaving a good impression with Vittoriosa Stars. Without doubt, he is one of the best Brazilians in local football, although temperamental at times.

Against Marsaxlokk on Friday, Luis Edison scored Hibernians’ opener and even hit the woodwork. Agile in his movement and fast with the ball at his feet he is a lethal finisher. Three goals scored in the first two league matches is not a bad start for the popularly known ‘Tarabaj’

Top scorers

4 goals – Obinne Obifuele (Marsaxlokk)

3 goals – Alfred Effiong (Valletta), Luis Edison dos Santos (Hibernians), Moises Avila (Birkirkara)