Nearing the end of the Opening Round of the YoHealth Malta Premier, we are now having some indications.
The Top Six seems to be more balanced when with three matchdays to go nothing is yet decided. But if we analyse the present situation it seems that Floriana are clear favourites to repeat last year's success, at least being one of the top two. Presently they have a four point cushion over Sliema Wanderers and Ħamrun Spartans. A win against eternal rivals Sliema Wanderers in this weekends match will practically seal their fate.
It is no surprise that the Greens are holding on this position. They have been the most consistent team and have showed determination to win their games. Even when the team was not playing and reaching the normal heights, they just the same gained the desired result.
Not the same can be said of Ħamrun Spartans who have failed to live up to expectations and have shown that their European adventure has hindered their progress in the Premier League. Although they have got the biggest squad from all league participants. If history can repeat itself, the Spartans may make up for it in the Closing Round though they are still in the mix to gain one of the two top spots, or even more top spot.
On the other hand much was expected from Valletta who Jubilee Cup success aside, have lost their last three matches in the Premier League. The last match of the first phase and two from the Top Six. For the Lillywhites this proves to be a great setback given the hype that was created following their Cup success.
Looking on the other side, things look much clearer. Though nothing is yet mathematically decided, it seems that the bottom two places will be taken by Tarxien Rainbows and Naxxar Lions. The league table never lies and even here both mentioned teams were the worst in the Opening Round. There were good signs in certain matches but more was expected from both of them. We will now have to see what's in store and what changes will be made for the Closing Round. Naxxar have acted quickly appointing Winston Muscat instead of George Vella. We will know what the Rainbows will do in the coming days. Will it be more of the same or will they also ring the changes?
'We are in a good position but nothing is decided'
- Jean Paul Desira, assistant coach Floriana FC
'Today we were consistent in all aspects.We were aggressive and fully concentrated.' These were the first comments given by Floriana assistant coach Jean Paul Desira following their win against Birkirkara. Desira continued. 'We kept a clean sheet, some players were back in the squad and the most important thing is that we gained the maximum points that put us in a more healthy position. Things look bright but there's still a long way to go so that we repeat what we did last season. The next match will be another hard nut to crack since Sliema are a good team and coming from a good win against Valletta.'
'Additions to the squad are required'
- Gianluca Festa, coach Birkirkara FC
'We struggled from the beginning till the very end. I'm not happy especially with the first half passive performance'. The first words that Birkirkara coach Gianluca Festa said following the Stripes defeat against Floriana. Festa added. 'We didn't create anything, very weak in the final third. If we want to move forward we have to intervene and add to the squad so that we will be more competitive for the second part of the season.'
CURIOSITIES
v Sliema Wanderers beat Valletta and this was surely a revenge after last week's defeat against the same team in the final of the Jubilee Cup. Sliema have now gone six matches without succumbing to defeat. Not the same can be said of Valletta who suffered their third consecutive defeat after also being beaten by Żabbar SP and Ħamrun Spartans.
v League leaders Floriana extended their lead at the top of the Premier League table. Results went all their way during the past weekend. With a four points cushion and three games to play till the end of the Opening Round, the Greens are favourites to gain one of the two top spots. Another positive for Floriana is that they have now scored in their last nine consecutive MPL matches.
v Ħamrun Spartans tasted defeat only for the second time this season but it was surely a bitter pill to swallow. M'Xlokk took their chances are grabbed the maximum points. With the Spartans European adventure now drawing to an end, now they must fully concentrate on the league since nothing can be taken for granted and things are getting harder.
OPENING ROUND TOP SIX TABLE
Floriana 29
Ħamrun S. 25
Sliema W. 25
Valletta 22
M'Xlokk 21
Birkirkara 16
OPENING ROUND BOTTOM SIX TABLE
Hibernians 19
Gżira Utd. 19
Mosta 12
Żabbar SP 12
Tarxien R. 6
Naxxar L. 6
RESULTS - MD 13
Gżira Utd. - Naxxar L. 3-1
Mosta - Żabbar SP 1-1
Hibernians - Tarxien R. 1-0
Floriana - B'Kara 2-0
Ħamrun S. - M'Xlokk 1-3
Valletta - Sliema W. 1-2
NEXT MATCHES - MD 14
Thursday 18th December
Victor Tedesco Stadium
8.30pm Hibernians - Żabbar SP
Friday 19th December
Victor Tedesco Stadium
6.30pm Gżira Utd. - Tarxien R.
9.00pm Mosta - Naxxar L.
Saturday 20th December
National Stadium
4.00pm Valletta - M'Xlokk
6.15pm Floriana - Sliema W.
Sunday 21st December
National Stadium
4.00pm Ħamrun S. - B'Kara
CLEAN SHEETS
Birkirkara 7
Ħamrun S. 7
Marsaxlokk 5
Floriana 5
Valletta 4
Sliema W. 3
Gżira Utd. 3
Mosta 3
Żabbar SP 2
Hibernians 2
Naxxar L. 1
Tarxien R. 0
TOP SCORERS
L. Villela (Hibernians) 8
Y. Messias (Valletta) 7
M. Jah (Floriana) 6
S. Bah (Sliema W.) 6
J. Grech (Floriana) 5
C. Padilha Mendonca (Hibernians) 5
P. Emanuel (Mosta) 5
A. Penha da Costa (Gżira Utd.) 5
A. Abubakar (B'Kara) 4
F. Sasere (B'Kara) 3
K. Reid (B'Kara) 3
J. Bonilla (Gżira Utd.) 3
P. Santiago (Zabbar SP) 3
N. Koffi (Ħamrun S.) 3
J. Tsoumou (M'Xlokk) 3
Vitinho (Naxxar L.) 3
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