2017–18 Maltese Premier League
The 2017–18 Maltese Premier League was the 103rd season of top-flight league football in Malta. The season began on 18 August 2017 and ended on 22 April 2018. Hibernians were the defending champions, having won their 12th title the previous season.
Balzan and Valletta contended the league title for the whole season and were head to head in the final phases. On the last day of the season, on 21 April 2018, Valletta defeated Gżira United 2–1, while Balzan slipped in a 0–1 defeat against Hibernians, and as a result Valletta were crowned champions for the 24th time in their history.
Teams
are relegated after they finished twelfth the previous season. They are replaced by Lija Athletic the 2016–17 Maltese First Division champions, Senglea Athletic the 2016–17 Maltese First Division runners-up, and Naxxar Lions the 2016–17 Maltese First Division Third Place.Team | In league since | City | Training Stadium | Capacity |
Balzan | 2011 | Balzan | Victor Tedesco Stadium | 6,000 |
Birkirkara | 1990 | Birkirkara | Ta' Qali National Stadium | 17,797 |
Floriana | 1986 | Floriana | Independence Arena | 3,000 |
Gżira United | 2016 | Gżira | Ta' Qali National Stadium | 17,797 |
Ħamrun Spartans | 2016 | Ħamrun | Victor Tedesco Stadium | 6,000 |
Hibernians | 1945 | Paola | Hibernians Ground | 2,968 |
Lija Athletic | 2017 | Lija | Lija Stadium | 500 |
Mosta | 2011 | Mosta | Charles Abela Memorial Stadium | 600 |
Naxxar | 2017 | Naxxar | Centenary Stadium | 2,000 |
Senglea Athletic | 2017 | Senglea | Ta' Qali National Stadium | 17,000 |
Sliema Wanderers | 1984 | Sliema | Tigne Sports Complex | 1,000 |
Saint Andrews | 2015 | St. Andrew's | Luxol Stadium | 800 |
Tarxien Rainbows | 2008 | Tarxien | Tony Cassar Sports Ground | 1,000 |
Valletta | 1944 | Valletta | Centenary Stadium | 2,000 |
Kits
Team | Kit manufacturer | Shirt sponsor |
Balzan | Joma | Investors Mutual Limited |
Birkirkara | Adidas | McDonald's |
Floriana | Joma | Scotts Supermarket |
Gżira United | Joma | Tipbet |
Ħamrun Spartans | Sportika SA | Talocan |
Hibernians | Joma | Bezzina |
Lija Athletic | Adidas | The Falzon Group Of Companies |
Mosta | Macron | Computer Domain |
Naxxar | Macron | VINC |
Senglea Athletic | Acerbis | |
Sliema Wanderers | Adidas | DIZZ |
Saint Andrews | Macron | Tipico |
Tarxien Rainbows | Erreà | Cassar Ship Repairs |
Valletta | Joma | Iniala |
- Additionally, referee kits are made by Adidas, sponsored by TeamSports and FXDD, and Nike has a new match ball.
Managerial changes
Team | Outgoing manager | Manner of departure | Date of vacancy | Position in table | Replaced by | Date of appointment |
Balzan | Mutual consent | 5 May 2017 | Pre-season | 24 May 2017 | ||
Valletta | Resigned | 30 May 2017 | Pre-season | 18 June 2017 | ||
Birkirkara | End of contract | 1 June 2017 | Pre-season | 1 June 2017 | ||
Birkirkara | Sacked | 1 September 2017 | 11th | 1 September 2017 | ||
St. Andrews | Resigned | 7 September 2017 | 9th | 12 September 2017 | ||
Naxxar | Resigned | 7 September 2017 | 13th | 8 September 2017 | ||
Valletta | Mutual consent | 20 December 2017 | 3rd | 20 December 2017 | ||
Hibernians | Resigned | 5 March 2018 | 6th | Neil Zarb Cousin | 6 March 2018 |
League table
Results
Each team plays every other team in the league home-and-away for a total of 26 matches played each.Relegation play-offs
A play-off match took place between the twelfth-placed team from the Premier League, Tarxien Rainbows, and the third-placed team from the First Division, Zejtun Corinthians, for a place in the 2018–19 Maltese Premier League.Top scorers
Rank | Player | Club | Goals |
1 | Amadou Samb | Gżira United | 21 |
2 | Mario Fontanella | Floriana | 17 |
3 | Bojan Kaljevic | Balzan | 14 |
4 | Jake Grech | Birkirkara | 11 |
4 | Erjon Beu | Lija Athletic | 11 |
4 | Jurgen Degabriele | Hibernians | 11 |
7 | Clayton Failla | Hibernians | 10 |
7 | Emmanuel Okoye | Gżira United | 10 |
7 | Samba Tounkara | Tarxien Rainbows | 10 |
7 | Ricardo da Silva Faria | Tarxien Rainbows | 10 |