Valletta were justifiably expected to perform much more creditably at the start of the season than the four points they have so far.
The champions made one of their worse starts to the new football season in the BoV Premier League with one defeat, a draw and one win from the first three league matches.
Even worse, they have only scored two goals in 270 playing minutes, and that came in their third outing against neighbours Floriana before the international break. That might have forced Valletta to bolster their attack with two new Brazilian forwards, Serafim De Cruz, popularly known as Lico, and Alex Terra. Another Brazilian wide player, Paolo Candido, has also joined their ranks and most probably will be in action this weekend.
Valletta’s next fixture is a crunch one against Hibernians tomorrow at the National Stadium (kick off 6pm) in the top match of the weekend. The champions need pull up their sleeves, producing more convincing form to avoid dropping more points.
Ominously for their opponents, Hibernians have shown consistency, winning all of their opening matches played so far, with a 100 per cent record. An important addition before the transfer deadline has been that of international defender Andrei Agius, who in all probability will be making his debut for the Paolites tomorrow, as centre back Rodolfo Soares returns from suspension.
Birkirkara and Mosta are the other two teams with maximum points so far but both teams have tricky encounters today.
Birkirkara play fourth place Balzan at the Victor Tedesco Stadium (6.15pm). The Stripes have scored seven goals already. Their new signings have been grafted cleverly into the team and another attacking player, Ukraine striker, the 29-year old Vjacheslav Shevchenko could make his debut this weekend.
Although technically inferior, Balzan will be no pushovers though. They are still unbeaten, defeating Zebbug Rangers and Qormi and drawing against Naxxar Lions. They can be stubborn opponents, especially in defence and, as was the case against Naxxar Lions, Birkirkara might need to overcome another stern test of nerves to maintain their perfect start.
Mosta play Naxxar Lions at the National Stadium (6pm) in a keenly contested derby. Although still without a win, the Lions look more composed this season, with solidity at the back, inventive in midfield but perhaps need to show more ruthlessness in front of the opponents’ goal.
Mosta are aiming high this season, having beaten champions Valletta, and newly promoted sides Pieta Hotspurs and Zebbug Rangers already. They are the only side still to concede a league goal, with their goalkeeper Omar Borg stealing the show with two decisive penalty saves already. Mosta have also added a new Brazilian striker to their squad, Mateus Ribeiro dos Santos, who was lately playing in Italy, to support their prolific scorer Bojan Kaljevic.
Sliema Wanderers have also made a disappointing start to the new campaign. Hampered by the departures of three key players, Henry Bonello, Matias Muciardi and Stanley Ohawuchi, combined with the long term injury of defender Alex Muscat, the Wanderers have been rendered vulnerable at the back and toothless in attack. Two draws and a defeat leave them in eighth place in the standings. Since then, they have engaged Portuguese striker Djumo Bocar, on loan from Inter, as well as Italian striker Filippo Talato. They hope to obtain their first win against the still unsettled Qormi today (4pm). Defender Beppe Muscat will be missing through suspension. Qormi are one point above them, following two consecutive defeats against Balzan and Hibernians, after their win against Naxxar Lions on the opening day and need regroup quickly to get back on track.
Tarxien Rainbows and Zebbug Rangers are another two teams still looking for their first win this season when they play each other tomorrow at the National Stadium.
While newcomers Zebbug have been handed a taste of the bitter reality of the Premier League, winless and pointless so far, Tarxien remain unbeaten and have registered some encouraging results with draws against Valletta, Sliema Wanderers and Pieta Hotspurs.
Following a summer of multiple departures and arrivals, coach Clive Mizzi is under pressure to mould a new team fast. Zebbug will be hoping that new Serbian striker Bojan Mamic, formerly a Mqabba player, will be a better replacement for Scot Craig Beattie who has been released by the club after an unimpressive short spell.
Floriana, lingering at the bottom end of the table, have been the biggest flop so far, with some sloppy defending and profligacy in front of goal. Like today’s opponents Pieta Hotspurs, they have only one point to show in three matches. The Greens went down heavily against Hibernians (0-3) and Valletta (0-2). In between they drew 1-1 with Sliema Wanderers, after surrendering the lead. Before the transfer deadline Floriana have signed striker Amadou Samb from Senegal as their eighth foreigner already and he is expected to make his debut today.
Having so far played two of the league’s top sides in Birkirkara and Mosta, before eking out a goalless draw against Tarxien Rainbows, it might be a case of the season starting now for Pieta. Of greta concern will be an attack that has yet not contributed a goal - their solitary strike so far coming from midfielder Cain?Attard.