Hibs-Floriana clash is the major weekend attraction
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The Bank of Valletta Premier League enters its third round of matches this weekend between today and Sunday.
One match is being played this evening, four are to be played tomorrow and the other two on Sunday.
At present, three clubs – Gzira, Hibernians and Valletta – have maximum points after winning their opening two matches. The ‘Old Firm’ partners, Floriana and Sliema are on 4 points, while another four clubs – Hamrun, Balzan, Mosta and St Andrew’s – have three each. Senglea and Birkirkara follow with one each, while Lija, Naxxar and Tarxien still have to win their first point of the new season.
It should be quite an interesting weekend with the three leading clubs aiming to register a third consecutive win, Naxxar Lions playing under a new management and with Paul Zammit returning to lead a struggling Birkirkara side.
It will be Valletta who will be the first club facing Naxxar Lions after the latter’s change to a new management system.
A Canada-based Syrian businessman, Yahda Kiri, who has taken over the presidency of the club, aims to lift the Lions to new heights although the club will now have to wait till the January transfer window to strengthen their squad.
With their current crop of players, the Lions will certainly find it difficult to contain the citizens who, however, are lacking in power up front. So far, they have scored only two goals in their two matches against Mosta and Senglea, but they were enough to give them a maximum six points.
Hibernians will be facing a serious test from Floriana who are considered to be one of the best teams in this season’s competition.
The Paolites have started their defence of the title with two wins and seem confident of repeating last year’s success.
But Floriana may have other thoughts. After being held to a 11 draw in their opener by Birkirkara, they demolished Tarxien Rainbows to the tune of 5-0 confirming their strength in the front line.
The revelation so far have been Gzira United. They have also scored two wins – including an impressive 2-0 against Birkirkara - and are leading the standings on a better goal difference.
This weekend, they seem to have a pretty good chance of getting a third win when facing the hapless Tarxien Rainbows.
The latter are a completely changed side from last season and they will have to show much better form if they are to move away from the bottom end of the table.
The Balzan-Sliema and St Andrews-Hamrun matches also promise to be close encounters.
Balzan must forget all about their last outing (a 3-2 defeat at the hands of St Andrews) if they are to overcome the Wanderers.
The Blues were on song in the previous round, obtaining a fine 5-1 win against Naxxar Lions.
St Andrews are full of enthusiasm after their unexpected, but deserved, 3-2 win against Balzan. They now face Hamrun Spartans, who suffered their first defeat against Hibernians.
The two sides possess some good quality foreign players and I expect them to figure prominently in this year’s campaign.
The struggling Birkirkara face Mosta this weekend and Paul Zammit has been recalled by the club to restore order.
The Stripes were lucky to earn a point from a 1-1 draw against Floriana, but then had to bow their heads against Gzira.
Mosta will not be an easy opponent. They almost surprised the much more quoted Valletta in their opening match, but then obtained a convincing 3-1 win against Lija.
The latter, still without a point, will be meeting Senglea, who have collected one point so far.
This match, between two of the newly-promoted sides, also promises to be a keen contest as it is considered to be already a direct clash in connection with the relegation battle.
Doncic resigns as St. Andrews’ coach
Serbian coach Danilo Doncic became the second coach to leave a Premier League club after the beginning of the league, after he resigned from coach of St. Andrews.
The news broke out yesterday evening, the main reason being reported that Doncic was offered an important opportunity overseas.
Full programme Today
Centenary Stadium: Bank of Valletta Premier League 7.00pm St. Andrews-Hamrun S.
Tomorrow
Bank of Valletta Premier League 6.00pm Balzan-Sliema W.; 8.00pm Hibernians-Floriana
Bank of Valletta Premier League 6.00pm Tarxien R.-Gzira U.; 8.15pm Birkirkara-Mosta
Sunday
Bank of Valletta Premier League 6.00pm Lija A.-Senglea A.; 8.00pm VallettaNaxxar L.