The quest for early supremacy in the domestic league resumes in earnest this weekend with the first head-to-head showdown between Sliema Wanderers and Birkirkara.
Although the season is still in its infancy, there are high expectations that tomorrow's main match (kick-off 5 p.m.) will unfold into an intriguing confrontation between these two rivals.
Sliema will be looking to extend a perfect start to their title defence after collecting a maximum 15 points from their opening five matches.
Birkirkara were rather slow off the blocks but their results of late suggest that Stephen Azzopardi's team are settling nicely into their usual rhythm.
Four points adrift of the champions, the Stripes are under more pressure to garner full spoils and move within striking distance of the early pacesetters. Apart from being the first meeting between the main championship favourites, tomorrow's duel has a special meaning for a veteran of our football.
According to records kept by football statistician Rinus Dahles, Kris Laferla, the Sliema sweeper, will play his 500th official match if fielded against Birkirkara, a significant achievement to go with his glittering collection of honours.
The 37-year-old former Malta international expressed surprise on being told that he is on the verge of reaching the remarkable milestone.
"I didn't know that the Sliema vs Birkirkara game will be my 500th official match but obviously it's something very positive to look forward to," Laferla told The Times.
"Football has changed my life. I have won many titles at club level, played for the national team and made many friends."
Laferla's career is undoubtedly a success story.
Making his debut for St Andrews in 1983, he went on to establish himself as one of the best players around during a trophy-laden 18-year spell with Valletta before helping Sliema to back-to-back titles after joining them in January last year.
He was also a member of the famous Valletta team that collected a record haul of six trophies in 2000-2001, including the Centenary Cup, a competition commemorating the Malta FA's 100th anniversary.
"Winning the six cups with Valletta and the victory over Birkirkara in that decisive clash on the final day of the 1997-98 season must rank as the highest points of my career," Laferla reminisced.
He has been involved in many a tough duel with Birkirkara since the Stripes shot to life in the mid-90s.
His main task since giving up his erstwhile demanding midfield role for the libero position, has been to keep opposing strikers at bay and guide his defensive team-mates.
More of the same will be expected of him tomorrow.
"It's going to be a difficult match," Laferla remarked. "Birkirkara have a very strong team, one that can produce a serious challenge. They played well in their last outings whereas our performances so far have not really been exceptional. I think we have suffered because of injuries to key players but I hope that we take something from this match."
Sliema cannot field their best formation as Joe Brincat is still not 100 per cent fit. Rupert Mangion has shaken off a groin problem but is unlikely to start against Birkirkara.
Speculation that Laferla was to call time on his career at the end of last season led to scepticism about Sliema's decision to rely on the ageing defender to spearhead their rearguard.
"For me age is not an issue," Laferla said. "As long as I feel I can give a valid contribution, I will continue to play. Football here is not very fast and my position in the team makes it easier for me to cope. I cannot train as much as the others but I practise as much as I can. I am still fit enough to last the whole 90 minutes.
"There has been a lot of talk about my retirement but it was not coming from me. My best years may have passed but I'm still playing for one of the leading clubs in Malta and as long as they have trust in my abilities, I will remain in the game.
"Having said that, I think that Sliema will be my last club."
League runners-up for the past two years, Birkirkara harbour high hopes of ending a five-year title drought. To achieve their mission, they would need to see off Sliema's challenge and shatter Laferla's target of repeating last season's double success.
Three points from their match with their rivals would enrich the self-confidence among the Birkirkara team who have already beaten the champions 3-1 in the Super Cup.
"Reducing the gap on Sliema has to be our goal for this match," Chucks Nwoko, the Birkirkara captain, said.
"This is not a do-or-die affair though because these are still early days but we still have to win this one to keep up the pace at the top."
Stephen Azzopardi, the Birkirkara coach, has injury doubts concerning three players. Nwoko has been plagued by a hamstring problem, Antoine Zahra picked up a knock during Malta's 4-1 defeat to Bulgaria on Wednesday and Michael Galea is recovering from a knee problem.
Although Sliema have yet to show their best form, Nwoko says their unbeaten start to the league testifies to their strength.
"The core of the Sliema team is made up of experienced players who can alter the course of a match even when the side struggles to perform at its best," Nwoko commented.
"We had a sloppy start but in the last few matches, I believe we have played the best football and that fills me with confidence that we can topple Sliema."
Kris Laferla fact-file
Dec. 18, 1983 Laferla makes debut in a league match for St Andrews against Birzebbuga which ended 0-0.
April 25, 1984 Scores first goal in the KO match against Zejtun Corinthians. Laferla's goal proves to be the winner in extra-time - 1-0.
Summer 1985 Joins Valletta and starts long and successful career with his new club who promote him to team captain.
Sept. 1, 1985 Makes Premier League debut in a match against Zurrieq.
Sept. 6, 1986 Scores first goal for Valletta from a penalty in a Premier League match against Tarxien Rainbows.
Nov. 16, 1986 Makes national team debut against Sweden - 0-5.
Feb. 8, 1998 Bids farewell to national team in Rothmans Tournament match against Latvia - 2-1. Played 63 times for Malta and scored six times.
May 1990 Wins first of six league championships with Valletta. The others came in 1992, 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2001.
May 11, 1991 Scores extra-time winning goal for Valletta to beat Sliema 2-1 in the FA Trophy final. It is his first FA Trophy success for the Citizens. Others follow in 1995, 1996, 1997, 1999 and 2001.
Jan. 19, 2003 Makes debut for new team Sliema Wanderers in a Premier League match against Marsa - 5-0. Goes on to win Premier League title two seasons in a row.
May 18, 2004 Plays for Sliema in the FA Trophy final victory over Marsaxlokk.
Other statistics
¤ Jeffrey Chetcuti played his 400th match in Maltese football on Sunday, September 7, against St Patrick. He played for Mosta, St Andrew's, Valletta and now Sliema Wanderers. Chetcuti, 30, played most of his matches for Valletta 274, Sliema 71, Mosta 35 and St Andrew's 20. He has scored 12 goals.
¤ Also in Sliema vs St Patrick, Noel Turner played his 300th match overall for the Wanderers. The 29-year-old midfielder has scored 54 goals so far.
¤ On September 26, Marsaxlokk's David Camilleri, 30, played his 250th Premier League match in the fixture against Floriana. Camilleri, formerly of Hamrun and Sliema, scored 21 goals in his career.
Data compiled by Rinus Dahles