Valletta to face Sliema W in openeing match Published on: 05-07-2018
Champions Valletta were handed a tricky start to their title defence as the draws of the BOV Premier League were held yesterday at the MFA headquarters, in Ta’ Qali.
The new league championship will again feature 14 teams and will be played on the same format of last season, with the opening day of the season scheduled for August 17 while the final programme is scheduled for April 27.
The Citizens, who last April lifted their 24th league crown in the club’s history, will have to take the ground running as they will be up against three top guns of Maltese football.
In fact, Danilo Doncic’s men will open their campaign against Sliema Wanderers, last season’s FA Trophy finalists, before facing 2017 champions Hibernians and Birkirkara, the 2017-18 Cup finalists.
Balzan, last season’s runners-up, were also handed a tricky opening fixture when they will
face Birkirkara before meeting newly-promoted Qormi on the second day.
Hibernians kick off their season against newly-promoted Pietà Hotspurs while Gżira United take on Tarxien Rainbows.
Floriana will be up against their recent past when they take on Ħamrun Spartans now under the charge of their former coach Giovanni Tedesco.
The other fixtures from the opening day will see Mosta facing St Andrews while last season’s
Division One champions Qormi facing Senglea Athletic.
This year’s BOV Premier League will see some changes in the schedule of match days
throughout the season.
In fact, as from the upcoming campaign, there will be no longer matches from the Premier
League and the Division One played on Fridays.
These will be switched to Monday and will be played at the same venue in a two-match programme.
The MFA is also planning to host three Premier League matches at the Centenary Stadium
on the same day during the winter months.
Round 1
1 Valletta VS Sliema W.
2 Valletta VS Hibs
3 Valletta VS Bkara
4 Valletta VS Qormi
5 Valletta VS Senglea
6 Valletta VS Balzan
7 Valletta VS Pieta
8 Valletta VS Mosta
9 Valletta VS Floriana
10 Valletta VS Gzira
11 Valletta VS Luxol
12 Valletta VS Tarxien
13 Valletta VS Hamrun
Round 2
14 Valletta vs Sliema W.
15 Valletta VS Hibs
16 Valletta VS Bkara
17 Valletta VS Qormi
18 Valletta VS Senglea
19 Valletta VS Balzan
20 Valletta VS Pieta
21 Valletta VS Mosta
22 Valletta VS Floriana
23 Valletta VS Gzira
24 Valletta VS Luxol
25 Valletta VS Tarxien
26 Valletta VS Hamrun
Source - Times of Malta
