The long 12-team league is still in its infancy – the third round has just been concluded – but it is already evident that Valletta FC are the great favourites to defend last season’s title successfully. Their easy 3-1 win against Qormi on Saturday confirmed their supremacy as their immediate followers till then, Birkirkara and Floriana, both suffered unexpected defeats at the hands of Hibernians and Sliema respectively.

Valletta FC are again proving their supremacy at the top of the standings. After just three matches, they already enjoy a two-point lead. They are the only team on maximum points as their immediate followers after the second round, Birkirkara and Floriana, both dropped all three points in their weekend matches.

They fell at the hands of Hibernians and Sliema respectively. The latter two clubs have had a fine start to the season and they are occupying joint second place on seven points, two behind the leaders.

Valletta simply had a sort of training spin against Qormi. The citizens, in fact, were too strong for the Yellow Blacks who were unable to get to grips with the situation once Jamie Pace scored that great goal to open the scoring.

From then onwards, Valletta were totally in command. They simply were not worried by the Qormi strikers who never threatened to penetrate the City defence except on a few brief occasions, from one of which they earned the penalty near the end which was converted by Farrugia for their consolation goal.

Hibernians and Sliema are two of the healthiest teams in the competition so far – a vast improvement over the past season where they both had to play the second phase in the Relegation Pool.

The Paolites showed class as they demolished a poor Birkirkara side which, at times, seemed lifeless.

Mark Miller’s boys were dominant from start to finish as Birkirkara were inexistent. This win confirmed the good moment for the Paolites who now have a good chance of obtaining a further three points the coming weekend as they face newly promoted Balzan Youths in their next clash.

For Birkirkara, it was a disastrous outing. Coach Patrick Curmi certainly has a tough task to rebuild the much-needed morale in this side which, on paper, seems to have the necessary talent and stuff to challenge for the honours.

Sliema also did well to beat their great old rivals Floriana. In a tight match, the Wanderers won by the only goal of the match for their second win of the season.

Danilo Doncic’s boys are growing in confidence with every match they play. They are showing consistency and that is what they need if they are to maintain their current positive run.

For the Greens, it was mostly an unexpected defeat. Like Birkirkara, this loss came after two opening wins and although there should be no drama about it, however, it was evident that they lacked their usual enthusiasm as the Blues kept them at bay in the final moments, that is, after Mifsud Triganza scored the goal that proved to be the winner.

At the other end of the table, four clubs – Hamrun, Tarxien, Mosta and Mqabba – obtained their first point or points of the season, but for Marsaxlokk, it was a dismal weekend.

The southern seasiders suffered their second defeat in three matches against newly promoted Mqabba and now it is already an uphill task unless they manage to show improvement in their forthcoming clash against Sliema Wanderers.

For Mqabba, it was their first Premier League win and, of course, their first three points, having suffered defeats in their opening two matches.

They have now got their season started in style and they will be looking forward with more confidence, starting from the coming weekend clash against Birkirkara.

Tarxien and Hamrun figured in a balanced match which ended all square.

This match offered little in good football, but both teams fought hard and made it a keen battle for points from start to finish, especially in the first half.

The two sides must have been happy to have shared the spoils at the end but they both need to show improvement if they are to move up the standings as quickly as possible.

The same applies to the newly promoted Balzan and Mosta who drew 1-1 with the Youths obtaining a last minute equaliser to deny Mosta their first Premier League win.

Mosta were by far the more enterprising side throughout the 90 minutes, but they lacked power up front and their finishing was obviously poor.

Balzan were inferior on the field of play and they should consider themselves lucky to have squeezed a point from this encounter which had appeared won and lost in the second half despite the minimal 1-0 scoreline.

Yet, the Youths now have four points and coach Ivan Zammit and his clan will be certainly looking forward with optimism although they must be aware that they will be facing a number of really tough clashes in the near future.

Best player

Andrew Cohen (Hibernians)

The Hibernians midfielder/striker is my pick this week after his excellent performance in the 3-0 win against Birkirkara on Satuday.

Cohen has already been in good form in the previous matches as well as in Malta’s international matches against Croatia and Georgia.

But in this match, he has confirmed that he is back to his very best. He was in inspiring form as he led his team-mates to an impressive victory which has brought back fresh enthusiasm among the numerous Hibernians fans in the hope of forgetting last season’s disastrous performances.

Top scorers

4 goals – Obinne Obifuele (Marsaxlokk), Edison Luis dos Santos (Hibernians), Alfred Effiong (Valletta)

3 goals – Moises Avila (Birkirkara), Joseph Farrugia (Qormi)