Hibernians to start defence of title against St Andrews
The draws of the 2017-2018 BOV Football Leagues were made last Monday at the new MFA Trophies Lounge, inside the Millennium Stand of the National Stadium .
Dr Angelo Chetcuti, the General Secretary of the Malta Football Association, and Kenneth Farrugia, Chief Business Development Officer of Bank of Valletta, conducted the draws for all four divisions alongside Rodney Pisani, the Head of the MFA Competitions Department.
Champions Hibernians will launch their BOV Premier League title defence with a match against St Andrews but the top fixture of the opening weekend is the clash between Birkirkara and Floriana.
The introduction of a 14-team, two-round format for the BOV Pre- mier League is not the only new aspect of the top-flight season as the Malta FA has also commissioned the creation of a new trophy which will be presented to the winners of the 2017-2018 championship.
Club officials and media personnel who attended the draws were given a ‘glimpse’ of the new silverware as a short video feature highlighting the design of the trophy was shown on the television screens of the Trophies Lounge.
The new BOV Premier League trophy is being manufactured by renowned London-based silversmith Thomas Lyte who were also the designers and makers of the new FA Trophy.
The opening programme of the 2017-2018 BOV Premier League, kicking off on 18 August, is: Balzan vs Naxxar Lions; Hibernians vs St Andrews; Sliema Wanderers vs Senglea Athletic; Tarxien Rainbows vs Hamrun Spartans; Valletta vs Mosta; Birkirkara vs Floriana; Lija Athletic vs Gzira United.
The derby between Valletta and Floriana will be played on the penultimate day of each round while the clash between Hibernians and Valletta will take place on the ninth day.
Birkirkara will renew their rivalry with Valletta on the seventh day while the 10th day of the 2017-18 BOV Premier League will feature the Old Firm duel between Sliema Wanderers and Floriana.
Balzan, who finished second in the championship last season, will face Valletta and Floriana on successive matchdays – fifth and sixth.
The draw has also produced what could be a potential title battle between contenders the defending champions Hibernians, and Balzan.
Matches will be played at the National Stadium, Hibernians Stadium, Centenary Stadium and Victor Tedesco Stadium as follows: one match on a Friday; four matches on a Saturday and two matches on a Sunday or two matches on a Saturday and four matches on a Sunday.
The opening day’s fixtures of the remaining three divisions are as follows:
Bank of Valletta first division (14 teams): Zejtun Corinthians vs
Qrendi; Pietà Hotspurs vs Rabat Ajax; San Gwann vs Vittoriosa Stars; Mqabba vs Zebbug Rangers; Marsa vs Qormi; Zabbar St Patrick vs Pembroke Athleta; Sirens vs Melita.
Bank of Valletta second division (13 teams): Kalkara vs Sig-
giewi; Attard vs St Lucia; Birzebbuga St Peter’s vs Gharghur; St George’s vs Luqa St Andrews; Swieqi United vs Mgarr United; Fgura United vs Marsaxlokk.
Bank of Valletta third division (12 teams): Msida St
Joseph vs Mdina Knights; Ta’ Xbiex vs Mtarfa; Xghajra Tornados vs Ghaxaq; Dingli Swallows vs St Venera Lightnings; Mellieha vs Marsaskala; Zurrieq vs Kirkop United.