Champions Hamrun Spartans take on Tarxien Rainbows as three matches from match day 1 of the YoHealth Malta Premier Opening Round are scheduled on Sunday with Marsaxlokk facing Mosta and Naxxar Lions taking on Floriana in the other two matches.
At the Tony Bezzina Stadium, kick-off at 19:00, Hamrun will be all out to claim their first three points as they take on newly-promoted Tarxien Rainbows.
The Spartans are coming from a 1-3 defeat to Maccabi Tel Aviv in the UEFA Europa League last Thursday and although their main focus is on the clashes with FK RFS of Latvia in the UEFA Conference League in the next two weeks, they will definitely go out to claim the three points in their first league match.
This summer, Hamrun, led by new coach Giacomo Modica, signed Vincenzo Polito, Jonny Robert, Matias Garcia, Domantas Šimkus, Rafael Compri, Mouad El Fanis, Merlin Hadzi, N’Dri Koffi, Saliou Thioune, Junior Djile, Ante Coric, Stijn Meijer and Gabriel Adragna with Steve Borg, Mattias Ellul, Mayron, Roko Prsa, Elionay, Mihael Klepac, Talison, Cesar Menacho and Raphael Lopes, not retained or moving elsewhere.
While continuing to chase the dream of qualifying for the league stage of a European competition remains the main objective, for the Spartans, winning the fourth successive championship and the fifth in six years will be an obvious target.
Meanwhile Challenge League runners-up Tarxien Rainbows will be aiming at retaining their Premier status after returning among the elite after an absence of four years.
Led, once again, by coach Jacques Scerri, the Rainbows strengthened their squad with the signing of goalkeepers Andrea Cassar and Miguel Spiteri, Marcus Grima, William James England, Andreas Vella, Gabriel Vella, Luke Anthony Borg, Kyle Gatt, French central defender Luc Zango, Brazilian right back Nhayson, Brazilian forward Wallisson Bahia, Angolan central defender Willian Salomão, Portuguese left winger Tavinho, Portuguese central defender Rafael Tavares, Portuguese defensive midfielder Tiago Santos, Brazilian left winger Erico Junior, Brazilian forward Jonata, Brazilian attacking midfielder Bruno da Cruz, Ghanian midfielder Kwasi Donsu and Colombian forward Johan Castano and confirmed goalkeeper Andreas Vella, Miguel D’Alessandro, Sheldon Mizzi and Claudio Murici. On the other hand, Matthew Tabone retired from the game while Conor Borg, Daniel Sant, Miguel Azzopardi, Jurgen Debono, Zachary Brincat and Dacosta Boadu were not retained.
At the National Stadium, kick-off at 18:45, Marsaxlokk face Mosta.
After missing out qualification for European football, Marsaxlokk will be aiming once again to be among the challengers for honours.
Led by Vincenzo Potenza, the Southseasiders were strengthened with the signing of goalkeepers Christopher Mafoumbi and Pablo Sanchez, Enrico Pepe, Triston Caruana, Ensell Attard, James Vella, Cameroonian defensive midfielder Joseph Minala, Brazilian central defender Weder Silva, French Tunisian central defender Oualid El Hasni, Southern Sudanese forward Ayom Majok and Brazilian forward Marcelo Santos while Jake Ghio and Dodo will be staying at the club. On the other hand, Karl Micallef, Ryan Scicluna, Duane Bonnici, Lucas Lopez and Yuri Messias moved elsewhere.
Mosta will aim at doing better than last season despite two Top 6 finishes in the Opening and Closing Round.
Led by Joseph Grech and technical director Mario Muscat, the Blues signed Kayden Farrugia, Colombian right back Quelmer Hurtado and four Brazilian players – right back Leo Fernandes, left back João Victor, central defender Caio Sena and forward Daniel GTA while Zachary Brincat returned following a spell on loan with Tarxien Rainbows, confirming David Udoh Akpan, Anse Demba, Giancarlo Goncalves, Matthew Bolanos and Sunday Okereke.
Meanwhile in the second match at the National Stadium, kick-off at 21:00, Naxxar Lions take on Floriana.
After avoiding relegation thanks to a win over Melita in a relegation decider, Naxxar Lions will be aiming at establishing themselves in the Malta Premier.
The Lions, who have confirmed George Vella as their coach, signed Japanese goalkeeper Makoto Kikushima, Cameroonian right back Cedric Kontchou, French midfielder Sekala Guehi and seven Brazilian players, namely left back Neto, central defender Gustavo Felipe, Vitinho, defensive midfielder Mariano, attacking midfielder Rosiel and forwards Diego and Firmino, along with Christian Gauci, Nathan Demicoli, Mike Hudson, Deisler Agius, Felippe Bugeja, Jayden Fenech and Nathan Demicoli. They confirmed goalkeeper Matthias Debono, Edward Bolanos, Joao Moura, Giuseppe Bonanno and Mattias Micallef with Mark Fenech returning to the club after a spell on loan.
On the other hand, Floriana will be hoping to make up for last season’s disappointment where they ended third in the league despite being the most consistent side throughout the league campaign and collecting the largest number of points.
The Greens, who have appointed Daniel Portela as their new coach, had signed Brazilian goalkeeper Guilherme Cioletti, Tanzanian midfielder Charles M’Mombwa, Gambain forward Mustapha Jah, Argentine central defender Lucas Lopez, Serbian left winger Todor Glisovic, Argentine attacking midfielder Federico Varela, Brazilian central defender Iago Mendonca, Portuguese forward Rui Areias and Mattia Veselji. In recent days, they added Albanian central defender Aljon Damini and Portuguese left winger Chico Teixeira Goalkeeper Christoffer Mafoumbi, Franklin Sasere, Guy Serge Yameogo, Matias Garcia, Oualid El Hasni, Jork Becerra, Alexandros Kouros, Gabriel Sotomayor, Fernandinho and Elvis Mashike moved elsewhere.
| Sun 17-Aug-2025 | Marsaxlokk FC vs Mosta FC | 18:45 | National Stadium |
| Sun 17-Aug-2025 | Tarxien Rainbows FC vs Hamrun Spartans FC | 19:00 | Tony Bezzina Stadium |
| Sun 17-Aug-2025 | Naxxar Lions FC vs Floriana FC | 21:00 | National Stadium |