The 360Sports Malta Premier kicks-off on Friday with the first two matches from Phase 1 of the Opening Round.
Twelve teams will be taking part in the 360Sports Malta Premier following the relegation of Santa Lucia, Valletta, Sirens and Gudja United and the promotion of Melita and Zabbar St. Patrick.
The league will be played over two rounds – the Opening Round and the Closing Round.
In the Opening Round – Phase 1, all twelve teams will play each other and therefore play a total of eleven matches. In Phase 2, teams will be split into two sections – the Top 6 and the Play-Out where in each section teams will play five matches in all. The ranking at the end of the Opening Round will be noted but points will then be reset to zero for the Closing Round.
In the Closing Round – Phase 1, all twelve teams will play each other once again and therefore play a total of eleven matches. In Phase 2, teams will be split once again into two sections – the Top 6 and the Play-Out where in each section teams will play five matches in all.
A format where deciders or play-offs would be necessary unless the same team wins both rounds to win the championship title, finishes in the runner-up spot and third to determine the UEFA Conference League spots or in case of the same two teams finish in the bottom two places to determine relegation.
>> The 360Sports Malta Premier league format explained
Four teams will be in action on Friday as Balzan take on Birkirkara and Sliema Wanderers face Mosta.
Balzan are one of a number of teams who went through several changes this summer. Coach Oliver Spiteri has been replaced by Englishman Dave Rodgers.
Captain Paul Fenech, goalkeeper Rudi Briffa, Ivan Bozovic, Nikola Braunovic, Ryohei Michibuchi, Olivier Rommens, Aleksa Andrejic, Manyluak Aguek, Aleksandar Katanic and George Blackwood are no longer with the club and new arrivals include Dylan Ciappara from Mosta, Jake Engerer from Sliema, Nicholas Pulis from Sirens while Gary Camilleri is back after spending last season on loan with Marsaxlokk. New foreigners include Isaac Westerndorf, Udoyen Akpan, Henri Stanic, Afghanistan international Mosawer Ahadi, Kevin Williams and Carson Buschman-Dormond.
After having to wait until the final match day to secure their Premier League status, Balzan aim at doing better this season although they have not set any particular objectives of challenging for a place in the UEFA club competitions.
Their opponents on Friday, Birkirkara, have also went through several changes this summer following a rather disappointing season. Former Hamrun Spartans assistant coach Stefano De Angelis took over from Jose Borg as coach. Enrico Pepe, Enmy Pena Beltre, Simon Zibo, Edward Sarpong, Ali Diakite, Manuel De Filippis, Andrei Ciolacu, Omar Elouni and goalkeeper Marcel Zapytowski were not retained. New arrivals include Shaun Dimech who joins the club from Valletta, Maicon who joins the club from Naxxar Lions, goalkeeper Giacomo Volpe, Manuel Morello, Agustin Sandona, Leandro Lacuna, Pablo Gaitan and Laton. Jed Valletta returned with the club after spending last season on loan with Santa Lucia.
The Stripes’ main objective will be that of making a return to European football by securing, at least, one of the UEFA Conference League spots.
Meanwhile following an impressive Premier League campaign which enabled them to secure a third-place finish and success in the IZIBET FA Trophy, Sliema Wanderers should be aiming once again for a place in UEFA club competitions.
Led once again by coach Paul Zammit, the Blues secured the services of three Malta national team players, Cain Attard, Adam Magri Overend and Steve Pisani. They also signed goalkeeper Cain Formosa, who until a year ago, also formed part of the national squad along with five foreign players – Simon Zibo from Birkirkara, goalkeeper Josip Bender, Serginho, Jonata and veteran Stanley Ohawuchi who returns to the club after playing in Egypt and the Middle East. On the other hand, Malta international goalkeeper Rashed Al Tumi moved to FC Sheriff in Moldova while Miguel D’Alessandro, Jake Engerer and Lydon Micallef moved to other clubs. Denis Kovacevic, Daniil Kondrakov, Denis Kouao, Joachim Adukor and James Arthur were not retained.
The Wanderers’ adventure in Europe got off to a bad start as they suffered a humiliating 7-0 defeat to FC Noah but the second leg clash ended in a goalless draw. Sliema then went on to win the pre-season Summer Cup, organised by the Malta FA, after defeating champions Hamrun Spartans 2-1.
In their opening match, they face Mosta – a team eager to bounce back after a highly disappointing Premier League campaign last season.
Led once again by Joe Grech and technical director Mario Muscat, the Blues secured the services of Richard Luca, Hulk, Cristian, Leo Fernandes, Joao Teixeira, Matheus Cambuci, Joshua Agyemang, Paul Odunayo Aderibigbe, Alex Jerry Ayi, Chisom Sunday Okereke, Chiemezie Stephen Gabriel and Ayobami Julius Babatola and veteran goalkeeper Sean Mintoff. On the other hand, Dylan Ciappara, William Legault, Owen Sammut and Kevin Tulimieri left the club while Gustavo Chara, Maximillian Ihekuna, Chidera Ngoga, Damian Aneni Evans, Armeng Hovhannijsyan, Dagou Britto, Chukwidi Obidike and Dao Ben Aziz were not retained.
| Fri 16-Aug-2024 | Balzan FC vs Birkirkara FC | 18:00 | National Stadium |
| Fri 16-Aug-2024 | Sliema Wanderers FC vs Mosta FC | 20:15 | National Stadium |
Balzan – Birkirkara
Referee: De Gabriele Matthew
Assistant Referees: Spiteri Jurgen, Scerri Mitchell
Fourth Official: Petrovic Slobodan
Sliema Wanderers – Mosta
Referee: Zammit Fyodor
Assistant Referees: Sultana Duncan, Saliba Kurt
Fourth Official: Johnson Alex