After the VBET Malta Premier 2026/27 kicked-off on Friday, another two matches are programmed on Sunday at the Tony Bezzina Stadium as Valletta take on Zabbar St. Patrick and Sliema Wanderers face Hibernians.
After winning the Meridianbet FA Trophy last season and challenging for the title, Valletta will be aiming once again at being among the title-challengers.
The Citizens, once again led by Thane Micallef, secured the services of Manuel Morello, Roko Prsa, Ermin Bicakcic, Petar Sekulovic, Bruno Gomes and Alex Tanque while Keyon Ewurum returned after a spell on loan with Torino.
On the other hand, Steve Borg decided to hang his boots with Shaft Brewer, Jackson Mendoza, Yuri Messias and Stijn Meijer not being retained or moving elsewhere.
Their opponents on Sunday are Zabbar St. Patrick who are aiming at a better performance this season after avoiding relegation thanks to a win over Tarxien Rainbows in the relegation play-offs.
Gilbert Agius will have at his disposal a revamped squad following the arrival of goalkeepers Tiago Gomes and Leon Seisun along with Thomas Melillo, Kaiden Fenech, Shelom Magri, Charles M’Mombwa, Adnan Bašić, Joao Mafra, Nicolas Lancioni, Tobias Moriceau and Patrik Mohorovic.
Goalkeepers Manuel Djalo and Lukas Djodj along with Pedro Cejas, Brian Gambarte, Bruno Figueiredo were not retained or moved elsewhere.
The second match in programme puts against each other two teams who disappointed last eager but who are eager to bounce back. In fact, both teams were among the most active ones in the transfer market and are expected to be among the main challengers for honours.
Sliema have appointed Branko Nisevic as their new coach and signed three Malta international players – Henry Bonello, Alex Satariano and Teddy Teuma. Other new signings include Wale Musa Alli, Nikolaos Karelis, Matteo Lorenzi, Anthony Limbombe, Vlatko Drobarov, Nigel Robertha, Diego Camara and Brian Gambarte.
Rashed Al-Tumi, Murilo Freire, Thiaguinho, Roko Prsa, Wescley, Uros Djuranovic, Dejan Djuric, Marcelo Santos, Fernandinho and Vito Plut were not retained while Edmond Agius hang his boots.
On the other hand, following the takeover of the club by Sunday Ventures, Hibernians are now led by coach Tugberk Tanrivermis.
They signed Joseph Mbong, Nathan Agius, Leandro Lacunza, Joy-Slayd Mickels, Fabian Jankovic, Boris Druga, Jamie Wahling, Ryder Matos, Olivier N’Zi, Moritz Römling and goalkeepers Matteo Cardinali and Pablo Sanchez.
On the other hand, Lucas Caruana moved to Marsaxlokk while Laurentiu Branescu, Hugo Sacco, Cleiton, Charleston, Pedro, Denys Norenkov, Ali Diakite, Sunday Akinbule, Matthew Debattista Ruben Hernandez, Miullen and Kevin Halabaku were not retained.
| Sun 16-Aug-2026 | Valletta FC vs Zabbar St. Patrick FC | 18:00 | Tony Bezzina Stadium |
| Sun 16-Aug-2026 | Sliema Wanderers FC vs Hibernians FC | 20:30 | Tony Bezzina Stadium |