Hibernians start title defence with match against Marsaxlokk
Valletta face Birkirkara and former coach Zammit in crunch opener
Fans can look forward to an exciting start to the new season after the draw for the 2009/10 BOV Premier League threw up two intriguing encounters on the opening weekend.
Hibernians begin their Premier League title defence against Marsaxlokk while Valletta, runners-up last season, take on Birkirkara.
Sliema Wanderers, the FA Trophy winners, meet newly-promoted Vittoriosa Stars in their first match while Dingli Swallows, the Division One champions who will be making their maiden appearance in the top echelon of Maltese football, kick off against Tarxien Rainbows.
The fifth and final match of the first programme, scheduled for the weekend of August 21-23, is between Floriana and Qormi.
Having taken charge of Birkirkara following a four-year spell at the helm of Valletta, coach Paul Zammit will be gunning against his former team in the Stripes' first league match of the new season.
Valletta, who entertain high hopes of regaining the title, have been handed a tough start as their opponents on the second and third days of the campaign are Floriana, their eternal rivals, and Sliema Wanderers.
The first skirmish between Hibernians and Valletta, who were engaged in a neck-and-neck duel for the title last season, will be on the sixth day of the 2009/10 Premier League season.
The Malta FA have stuck to a two-tier format for the Premier League.
After the 10 teams had played each other twice in the first two rounds, the top six will form the Championship Pool and the bottom four will fight it out against the drop in the Relegation Pool. The second phase will also be over two rounds.
Hibernians and Valletta will close their first-phase commitments with matches against Sliema and Dingli respectively.
The BOV Super Cup between Hibernians (champions) and Sliema Wanderers (FA Trophy winners) will take place on August 17.
The 2009/10 Premier League campaign will end on May 5, 2010.
In Division One, Ħamrun Spartans, relegated from the Premier League last season, open their campaign against Melita, back in the second tier of local football after a lapse of 25 years.
Msida St Joseph, who lost their top-flight status after a relegation decider against Tarxien last season, face Mqabba in their opening match.
The 2009-10 Division One league will run from November 21 to April 26.
Division Two
(September 26-May 17)
Opening matches - Żurrieq vs Lija; Birżebbuġa vs Żebbuġ; St Andrew's vs Mellieħa; Gżira vs Senglea; Rabat vs Għargħur; Gozo FC vs Sta Venera.
Division Three
(September 27-May 16)
Opening matches - (Section A): Luqa SA vs Siġġiewi; Mdina vs Pembroke; Mtarfa vs Għaxaq; Kalkara vs Mġarr; Marsa vs Fgura.
Opening matches - (Section B): Xgħajra vs Swieqi; Naxxar vs Gudja; Qrendi vs Żejtun; Attard vs Kirkop; Sirens vs Sta Luċija.