Hibernians vs Gzira United completes match day 1 of the YoHealth Malta Premier Opening Round at the Tony Bezzina Stadium on Monday, kick-off at 19:00.
Two teams who will be aiming at improving over last season although the Paolities still managed to qualify for the UEFA Conference League after winning the FA Trophy.
This summer, Hibernians, led once again by Branko Nisevic, signed Duane Bonnici, Romanian goalkeeper Laurentiu Branescu and five Brazilian players – Joao Teixeira, Charleston, Pedro Cacho, Pablo Alves and Cleiton while Ayrton Attard is back after a spell on loan with Valletta. Kurt Shaw moved to Italy while Pablo Sanchez, Khevin Fraga, Rui Bruno, Stanislav Sorokin and Federico Falcone were not retained or moving elsewhere.
Gzira United, now led by Clive Mizzi, made wholesale changes to their squad signing goalkeepers Karl Sargent, Aleksander Lubik and Edoardo Colombo, Deacon Abela, David Xuereb, Clayton Failla and Mathias Conti along with Canadian midfielder Lennon Thompson, Costa Rican defender Pablo Fonseca, Spanish defender Marc Van de Bovenkamp, Brazilian defensive midfielder Bonilha, Colombian midfielder Jork Becerra, Costa Rican attacking midfielder Johan Bonilla, Colombian winger Santiago Martinez and Brazilian forwards Maxuell Samurai, Andre and Kante. On the other hand, goalkeepers Giulio Mangano and Cain Formosa were not retained along with Enrico Pepe, Shaquill Sno, Joseph Minala, Thiaguinho, Manuel De Filippis, Thaylor, Macula and Jackson Mendoza.