The BOV Premier League resumes on Monday after a four-week break following the usual break due to the festive season and the decision by the MFA Executive Board to postpone matches which were due to be played over the past two weekends due to the COVID situation.
The league returns with a bang as eternal rivals Valletta and Floriana cross swords at the National Stadium, kick-off at 19:00.
Floriana are currently second on 23 points, eight behind leaders Hibernians, two ahead of Hamrun and three ahead of Birkirakra and Valletta but Hamrun and Birkirkara have a game in hand. Floriana earned seven points from their last three outings after holding leaders Hibernians in a goalless draw and beating Santa Lucia 3-1 and Sliema Wanderers 2-0. Valletta, on the other hand, failed to win in December, earning their only point in a draw with Birkirkara, losing 0-1 to Hamrun and 1-2 to Balzan.
The Citizens signed Malta Under-21 international Andrea Zammit and Canadian Emmanuel David but released Manuel Bartolo and James Arthur while Joseph Zerafa moved to Hibernians. Bartolo should be in squad for his new team Floriana who lost Augusto Caseres on loan to Marsaxlokk.
In the first round, Floriana registered a most comfortable 3-0 win over their rivals.
Both sets of supporters have been assigned a sector in West Stand. The supporters’ allocations see Floriana in West A while Valletta will be in West C.
Whist the Malta FA are doing their utmost to reduce the long queues at the entrances, one must remember that new Covid-19 measures will come into practice on this very day and thus it might take slightly longer to enter the stadium. Gates will open at 17:45. Anyone entering the stadium must be in possession of a valid Covid-19 certificate.
The Malta FA wishes to remind drivers to expect delays and think ahead as roadworks are taking place in several of the roads leading to the National Stadium in Ta’ Qali.
Tickets for the Valletta vs Floriana game can be purchased either online from tickets.mfa.com.mt or from the ticket booths on the day.
Meanwhile at the Tony Bezzina Stadium, also kick-off at 19:00, Hamrun Spartans take on Mosta.
The Spartans target a fourth win on the trot after defeating Santa Lucia 3-0, Sliema 2-0 and Valletta 1-0. A win which would put them in second place should Floriana fail to beat Valletta even if the Spartans still have a game in hand. Mosta, on the other hand, continue to share the second place from bottom with Gudja United and Santa Lucia. The Blues failed to register any wins in November and December, earning two points in two 2-2 draws with Gzira and Birkirkara, losing to Valletta, Gudja and Sirens.
This January, Hamrun signed Steve Borg and Carlos Ibarguen while Mosta secured the services of goalkeeper Ini Etim Akpan, Denni Antwi and Raúl da Silva. However Mosta could not count on the suspended Ivan Doric and Tyrone Farrugia.
In the first round, Hamrun defeated Mosta 2-1.
| Mon 17-Jan-2022 | Valletta FC vs Floriana FC | 19:00 | National Stadium |
| Mon 17-Jan-2022 | Hamrun Spartans FC vs Mosta FC | 19:00 | Tony Bezzina Stadium |