The Premier League title race will be reserved to four teams, MFA Player of the Year Clayton Failla told The Times in a preview for the 2009/10 championship which gets underway tomorrow with a crunch match between Valletta and Birkirkara at the National Stadium.
Failla reckons big-spenders Valletta are the favourites to dethrone Hibs but Sliema, who also strengthened their ranks considerably this summer, will be there along with the same Paolites and Birkirkara.
Failla enjoyed his most successful campaign in the top flight last season when he helped Hibernians to win the BOV Premier League after a tight duel with Valletta.
His consistent performances for the Paolites were rewarded when he was voted as the country's best player over the entire campaign by a select panel of journalists and club officials.
Failla again caught the headlines this summer when he decided to end his five-year association with Hibernians and joined Sliema Wanderers on a long-term contract.
The 23-year-old is among a list of major signings completed by the Wanderers in this transfer window as the Blues also managed to lure to their fold defender Josef Mifsud, midfielder Ryan Fenech and striker Jean-Pierre Mifsud Triganza.
These additions, inevitably, added more weight to the Wanderers' ambitions for the new season and Failla is eager to maintain the high standards he reached last term.
"This will be the most challenging test in my career," Failla said.
"Winning the league with Hibernians and then the MFA Player of the Year award capped a memorable period for me. It would be difficult to repeat the same feats but I'm determined to maintain these high standards.
"After two months at my new club, I have settled down nicely and this can be mirrored by my performances in pre-season which improved steadily over the past few weeks.
"Sliema's success in the Super Cup final on Monday proved that this club have all cards in place to challenge for the major honours. But it would be wise for everyone to stay focused on what lies ahead as competition will be tough, even more than last season."
During this transfer market, Valletta also caught the eye with some big signings as the Citizens look to make up for their upset of last season when they finished second in the league and were beaten in the final of the FA Trophy.
Valletta FC president Victor Sciriha was instrumental in assembling a star-studded squad when securing the signatures of striker Terrence Scerri, last year's Premier League top scorer, midfielder Kevin Sammut and defender Steve Borg.
Jordi Cruyff, formerly of Manchester United and Barcelona, also joined the City bandwagon along with Dutch compatriot Geert Den Ouden.
"Valletta will be leading the challenge for the honours, no doubt," Failla said.
"They have added several new faces to an already formidable squad and Sliema, along with Hibernians and Birkirkara, will have to beat Valletta to sustain their push for the title. You cannot rule out anyone at this stage but in my opinion these four teams will be among the main protagonists."
The 2008/09 Premier League will be remembered by many as one of the tightest ever played in recent years. In fact, the new champions emerged from the last match of the season and the battle against the drop was decided by a decider after a neck-and-neck Relegation Pool finish.
Failla is anticipating another balanced campaign with the likes of Qormi and Tarxien Rainbows providing another fierce test to the established teams, along with newcomers Vittoriosa Stars and Dingli Swallows, in their bid to preserve their league status.
"The top four will be in a league of their own but the others are more or less poised on the same level so it will make this championship very interesting to watch," Failla said.
"Qormi and Tarxien did well to avoid the drop last season and they will be up to it again to make it a second successive year in the top flight. The two promoted sides also made some notable signings which should give them a fair chance of avoiding relegation. No doubt, we're in for an interesting season."
Failla knows this will be a difficult season for him in his new environs but he still harbours a clear objective in mind.
"My main goal is to win as many matches as possible for Sliema. If I play well and improve I will be in a better position to fulfil my ambition and establish myself in the national team.
"At the moment, I already form part of the set-up but I want to be a regular member of the team. There's a long way to go but I'm ready to give it my best shot."