Sliema going for four in a row

By Domenic Aquilina

Sliema Wanderers FC start the 2005/06 campaign as firm favourites to claim their fourth straight Premier League crown in Malta.

New faces
Coach Edward Aquilina has kept faith with his title-wining squad with the only arrivals being striker Daniel Bogdanovic and Italian defender Mauro Di Lello. Maltese international Claude Mattocks has also signed permanently after a loan while his international team-mate Ian Ciantar has returned from a one-year loan at Floriana FC.

Title wanted
Aquilina said: "I am sure we will continue where we left off last season - winning silverware." The coach will see his men get started against rivals Hibernians FC on Saturday with Floriana and Pietà Hotspurs FC opening the season the previous evening.

Barbara hat-trick
Sliema suffered a setback when they were defeated by FA Trophy holders Birkirkara FC in Monday’s Super Cup for the third straight year. Etienne Barbara was the hat-trick hero for Birkirkara in their 3-0 victory at the National Stadium in Ta'Qali.

Doda departure
Birkirkara will hope to go one better than their runners-up spot from last season - although they have lost the 32-year-old Romanian defender Lucian Dronca, who has left for Singapore and Nigerian striker Haruna Doda, who has signed for Hibernians.

Cohen wanting more
Many expect Hibernians to be a force. The driving force behind the side is again expected to be striker Andrew Cohen, last year’s Footballer of the Year after his 21 goals. Cohen's "immediate objective" for the coming campaign is nothing less than the title.

Young stars
Valletta FC also have high hopes with Joseph John Aquilina agreeing to stay as coach. Their transfer business included the signing of defender Massimo Grima. There have been some interesting arrivals at Marsaxlokk FC, under the leadership of new president Mark Schriha, including two Under-21 players, the goalkeeper Reuben Gauci and defender Gareth Sciberras.

Changes afoot
Floriana coach Jimmy Briffa has signed Adam Diao, the 22-year-old brother of Liverpool FC midfielder Salif Diao. Meanwhile, Msida St. Joseph FC have lost chairman Roberto Goveani and coach Mario Petrone. Bulgairan Todor Raykov is the new coach with Pietà following suit by appointing Georgi Deanov, another man fresh to Maltese football.

Survival aim
Finally, the main target for newly-promoted sides Hamrun Spartans FC and Mosta FC will be that of keeping their top-flight status. Former Spartans player Michael Degiorgio is in charge of their fortunes while Mosta have Paul Zammit at the helm as they bid for survival.