The Maltese Premier League gets under way this evening with the opening four matches - two at the National Stadium and another two at the Centenary Stadium.

The programme for the first day will come to an end tomorrow with the remaining three matches - another two at the National Stadium and only one match at the Centenary Stadium.

The start of the new season is much awaited by local football followers especially this season, after the several movements in the transfer market with all the clubs making bold efforts in trying to strengthen their squads.

This promises to be a very exciting season and champions Valletta must expect a strong challenge from at least five clubs as they try to retain the title.

And there are also expectations for a big battle at the other end of the table where at least another six clubs might be engaged in fighting to save their status. 

I expect Valletta to be among the front runners once again this season. But I also expect teams like Hibernians, Gzira, Balzan and Hamrun, not to mention Birkirkara, to make a strong challenge as well.

Among the outsiders, there should be Floriana and Sliema who have also made some good signings in the hope of avoiding another somewhat disastrous season as was the case the past season.

In the other half, Tarxien, Mosta and Senglea might have an edge over the three newcomers, that is, Sirens, Sta Lucija and Gudja United.

That is precisely because the former three clubs have much more experience than the latter three who are all new to the elite section of Maltese football.

Anyway, all the new signings by the clubs still have to prove themselves, but if they are up to standard, one will be assured of a very exciting competition.

Valletta

The citizens started the season on a good note as they progressed to the second qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League with an aggregate win on the away goals rule against Dudelange of Luxembourg. After that they were eliminated by Ferencvaros of  Hungary. Later they failed badly in the UEFA Europa League tie against Astana of Kazakhstan losing heavily both away and at home.

Now they will have to forget all about those matches and concentrate on the league games.

They start with what looks like an easy clash against newly promoted Sta Lucija. But they will have to keep their feet to the ground as I would not ignore any surprise especially at the start of a season.

Sta Lucija

Sta Lucija are pure newcomers to Premier League football and coach Oliver Spiteri is perhaps the only one who has Premier League experience. Their only aim will be that to try and avoid relegation.

They have signed a number of players in addition to those which helped the club earn that historic promotion.

Hibernians

Hibernians have lost some of their players once again this summer, but they have roped in some newcomers who could be good assets to the side.

The team is also looking forward to the return of injured Jurgen Degabriele who missed the most of the latter part of last season.

Gudja United

The Paolites start against another Premier League debutant, Gudja United, who like Sta Lucija, will be aiming to avoid relegation in their first experience with the elite.

Gudja have also strengthened the squad which won promotion to the Premier League last season. However, I think they have a tough task ahead of them.

Balanced matches

One of the most balanced matches on the opening day should be the Gzira v Hamrun clash this evening.

Both teams have strengthened their ranks considerably, though the Spartans have lost top striker Kevin Tulimieri to Valletta.

Gzira had a superb start to the season as they progressed to the second qualifying round of the UEFA Europa League at the expense of Croatian top side Hajduk Split, although they then fell victims to Latvian side Ventspils.

Another interesting clash should be that between Birkirkara and Floriana.

Even here, the two teams have made several changes to their squads, especially Birkirkara who were probably the most active in the summer transfer market, releasing most of the foreigners they had last season and replacing them with others who had already militated in the local Premier League quite successfully like Tarabaj and Falcone.

The Greens have not been staring either. They have also strengthened their squad in an effort to avoid the embarrassments of last season when they were involved in the relegation battle till the final matches.

The Sliema-Balzan clash is also expected be a balanced affair.

Balzan have also strengthened their squad with some top acquisitions including goalkeeper Naumovski who joined from Birkirkara.

On the other hand, Sliema have lost the services of a few players, but have also made some acquisitions which they hope will help them overcome the problems they encountered last season.

The other clubs

Tarxien will be facing Mosta in their opening clash.

The two teams had their ups and downs the past season and it was only in the final stages that they managed to move away from the relegation zone.

They hope they will fare better this time round and both are hoping to make sure of survival earlier.

Sirens, who won last season's first division, are also newcomers to the Premier League.

They know their task is not an easy one and like Gudja and Santa Lucija their main aim will be that of avoiding relegation.

Senglea had to make some notable changes to their squad. They have lost their coach and three of their top players of last season, but have managed to replace them during the summer transfer market.

But it is still early to say whether these will be the replacements needed to steer the side to safety as early as possible.

Programme

Today

National Stadium: 6.30pm Gzira U.-Hamrun S.; 8.30pm Birkirkara-Floriana

Centenary Stadium: 6.30pm Sirens-Senglea Ath.; 8.45pm Valletta-Sta Lucija.

Tomorrow

National Stadium: 6.30pm Tarxien-Mosta; 8.30pm Balzan-Sliema W.

Centenary Stadium: 7pm Gudja Utd-Hibernians.