108th National League kicks off tonight

BOV Premier Division 2022-23
Match Day 1 Preview

Birkirkara v Sirens – 19.08.2022 (18.30 hrs) – Centenary Stadium
The curtain raiser to the season sees Birkirkara, who aim to finish in the top four after missing out on the European Competitions in the previous campaign, take on Sirens who will have their eyes on a top half finish after last term finished in seventh place.
Last season, Birkirkara did not manage to beat the St Paul’s Bay side as the Blues beat the Stripes 3-2 in the 1st round while the 2nd round match ended in a one all draw.
Both teams have a player suspended, youngsters Aidan Cassar for Birkirkara and Andrej Nakov for Sirens.
Birkirkara main arrivals: Alessandro Coppolo (Triestina, loan), Giacomo Nava (Llapi), Alex da Paixao Alves Lecao (Al-Washm), Kevin Tulimieri (Valletta), Osvalo Forestero (Insieme Formia), Denis Ribeiro (Icasa), Enzo Cabrera (Newell’s Old Boys)
Sirens main arrivals: Matthew Grech (Pembroke Athleta), Wellington Petinha (Tarxien Rainbows), Sean Cipriott (Balzan), Ivan Kolev (Spartak Varna), Emmanuel Promise (Valletta), Andrea Cassar (Marsa), Marcelo Muniz (San Luca), Paolo Vyctor (EC Floresta), Kei Sano (St Andrews), Weder Silva (EC Sousa), Gabriel Ventura (CD Luis Angel Firpo)

Balzan v Zebbug Rangers – 19.08.2022 (20.45 hrs) – Centenary Stadium
Balzan, who avoided the drop on the last match day of the previous campaign, will get the new season up and running against newly promoted Zebbug Rangers. New coach Oliver Spiteri must assemble a team to raise the club’s profile after surviving relegation after 11 successive seasons in the top flight.
This will be Zebbug Rangers’ 11th appearance in the top division after an absence of eight seasons after clinching the Challenge League title defeating Pembroke Athleta 5-3 on penalties in the Championship Decider.
Rangers coach Brian Spiteri needs to start their campaign without the services of the suspended Stanimir Miloskovic and Shaun Bugeja, both influential players last season.
Balzan main arrivals: Angel Torres (Alverca), Momcilo Raso (Rabotnicki Skopje), Aidan Friggieri (Gudja U.), Ivan Bozovic (Timok Zajecar), Christian Mercieca (Hamrun Spartans), Benjamin Hili (San Gwann), Matheus Souza (Lusitania), Jonathan Debono (Sirens)
Zebbug Rangers main arrivals: Leandro Almeida (Hibernians), Almir Soto (free agent), Charles Ngoy (Marconi Stallions), Stefan Jankovic (Pembroke Athleta) Miguel Chetcuti (Pieta Hotspurs), Wilker Santos (GD Oliveira Frades), Enrique Sanchez (Canuelas FC), Antheos Spiteri (Valletta)

Gzira United v Santa Lucia – 20.08.2022 (18.30 hrs) – Tony Bezzina Stadium
Gzira United, who wrote a golden chapter in the club’s history after reaching the third round of the UEFA Conference League, cross swords with Sta Lucia who were relegated to the Challenge League but were reinstated to the Premier League by default after Pembroke Athleta forfeited their place in the top division due to financial reasons.
On the last match day of last season, the Maroons finished strongly in fourth place after defeating champions Hibernians 2-1 and claimed a European qualification. Coach Darren Abdilla has a few selection worries as some players came out of the European Cup period injured. Doubtful starters are Maxuell Samurai, David Mendoza and Steve Pisani while Thaguinho is nearly back to full fitness after a long layoff and could therefore start.
Santa Lucia will parade their new coach Pablo Cortes, from Spain.
The last time both teams met was in last season’s Izibet FA Trophy Quarter-Finals, with Santa Lucia winning 1-0 after extra time. In fact, the Lucians have an excellent record against Gzira as the Maroons never managed to beat Santa Lucia in the Premier Division. They are on a six match unbeaten run against Gzira (W2, D4), with Gzira’s last win over the Yellows being a 1-0 win way back in 2008/09 Third Division campaign!
Gzira United main arrivals: Marcelo Dias (Gudja United), Brooklyn Borg (Pieta Hotspurs), Craig Abdilla (Mqabba), Andrew Borg (St Andrews), David Cassar (Sliema Wanderers), Luis Riascos (Mosta)
Sta Lucia main arrivals: Matthew Calleja Cremona (Hibernians), Michael Johnson (Balzan), Thomas Rier (Cambuur Leeuwarden), Biniu Bairam (Intercity FC), Miguel Alba (Agropoli)

Mosta v Gudja United – 20.08.2022 (19.30 hrs) – Centenary Stadium
Mosta take on Gudja United who transformed themselves as very interesting opponents after booking their place in the Top Six and made a remarkable impact during the last campaign. However, many established players left Gudja, and it therefore needs to be seen if the team can equal their wonderful 2021/22 season.
On the other hand, Mosta look to make amends after a disappointing ninth-place finish last season where they also struggled to avoid the drop. The club kept faith in their coaching tandem Mario Muscat and Joseph Grech, while Gudja has engaged experienced 65-year-old coach Andrea Agostinelli, who coached various Italian and lately foreign clubs, including short stints with Lazio, Atalanta and Napoli in the Serie A.
Mosta main arrivals: Patrick Mensah (FC Shkupi), Jacob Akrong (FE Grama), Duane Bonnici (Naxxar L.), Steve Kingue (Pribram FK), Jacob Akrong (FE Grama), Tobi Akiti (Divine Praise), Lucky Opara (FK Spartaks), Victor Mbata (Garden City Panthers).
Gudja United main arrivals: Vito Plut and Andre Fausto Prates (both Santa Lucia), Samuel Gomes (FC Cascavel), John Mintoff (Sliema Wanderers), Manuel Bartolo (Floriana), Ayrton Azzopardi (San Gwann), Johann Bezzina (Mosta), Joshua Micallef (Luqa St Andrews), Luke Grech (Mgarr United)

Floriana v Pieta Hotspurs – 20.08.2022 (20.45 hrs) – Tony Bezzina Stadium
Last season’s runners-up and FA Trophy winners Floriana lock horns with newly promoted Pieta Hotspurs who returned to the top flight after an absence of four years. In fact, this is their 16th appearance in the Premier League after making their debut in 1944/95.
In the last campaign, Gianluca Atzori’s Greens had to settle for second place after being pipped by champions Hibernians. But they need to take the positives of encouraging signs to build a new challenge to reach their goals.
At senior level, both teams last met in an official match during season 2018/19 , with Pieta’ winning the 1st round match 2-1 and Floriana winning the 2nd round match 2-0. The match was played 45 times in history, with Floriana winning 24, Pieta 12 and nine draws.
Floriana main arrivals: Eden Herskovich (Hapoel Tel Aviv), Carlo Zammit Lonardelli (Sirens), Lorenzo Trillo (AJ Fano), James Scicluna (Pieta H.), Duncan Formosa (Gudja United), Neil Micallef (Marsaxlokk).
Pieta Hotspurs main arrivals: Terence Agius (Zabbar SP), Ange Belibi, Sekou Camara (both free agents), Dele Alampasu (FS Jeldava), Clinton Bangura (FC Marchfeld), Yasukaze Ito (Pieta’ Hotspurs), Gianu Agungbe (JK Viljandi Tulevik), Alan Schembri-Wismayer (Swieqi United), Takuma Yamaguchi (HBO Tokyo), Dele Alampasu (FS Jelgava)

Valletta v Hibernians – 21.08.2022 (18.30 hrs) – Tony Bezzina Stadium
This is the stand-out fixture of the first day where champions Hibernians begin their title defence against arch-rivals Valletta. The Paolites started the season on a flying note after they reached the third round of the UEFA Conference League, sending a stark warning to opponents that they will be among the main contenders to retain the title. One big change at the club is the departure of coach Stefano Sanderra, who has been followed up by ex-Sliema mentor Andrea Pisanu.
On the other hand, after a disappointing campaign, Valletta are entering a new era that would see the club being financed by a newly-formed consortium, which is to restore their power in Maltese football. They invested in a young coach, Thane Micallef, who had a great 2021/22 season with Gudja United.
Interestingly, the last time Valletta managed to beat Hibernians was in the 2018/19 FA Trophy Quarter-Final (3-2), played on 8 May 2019, just four days after the Premier League Championship Decider, which was also won by Valletta but after penalties. During the last three campaigns, Hibernians remained unbeaten against Valletta with three wins and two draws.
Hibernians main arrivals: Jairo Morillas (UE Cornella), Gabriel Mensah (Gudja United), Lorenzo Fonseca, Justin Haber (both Santa Lucia), Kurt Shaw (Sliema Wanderers), Gonzalo Llerena (UD Sanse), Yunusa Muritala (FK Metta), Rodolfo Soares (Gudja United),
Valletta main arrivals: Oke Akpoveta (Hoganas BK), Bradley Kamdem (free agents), Brandon Paiber (Floriana), Enzo Ruiz (Birkirkara), Breno de Almeida Mello Santana (Retro FC), Ulrich N’Nomo (Apollon Pontou), Kilian Bevis (Birkirkara), Joseph Willy (Swieqi United, loan).