It’s fair to say that the 2025/26 season is shaping up to be one of the more exciting in Malta’s second tier competition, the Challenge League. With no fewer than five clubs realistically chasing the title, let alone the top two, there is all to play for as we move into the final four games.

In this preview, I’ve decided to concentrate on the top five clubs – Balzan, Birżebbuġa St Peter’s, Swieqi United, Melita and Sirens. With Sirens currently four points clear of sixth-placed Fgura United, it looks a prominent point to “cut away the dead flesh”. Add to that, only nine points separate first place Balzan from fifth place Sirens, and only six points from second to fifth, and the neutral can see the potential complexities of the title race.

Balzan and Melita being in the race is perhaps unsurprising to many. Both were relegated from the MPL last season and have retained a good number of their squads from that campaign. They may have had to downsize on the number of foreign imports, but both have talented Maltese players with MPL experience, coupled with fewer good quality foreigners.

As if to prove the point, Balzan managed to retain Nigerian striker Dimeji Awosanya (15 goals) for this season despite his wish to leave after relegation. Likewise, Melita have been able to hold onto Venezuelan forward Jesus Yepez (14 goals). These players have allowed both sides to fire towards the top two.

The Business End

As previously stated, each club has four games to play, with the season coming to an end on the weekend of 18th / 19th April. So who has the best run in? Judge for yourself from the following…

Balzan (1st / 41pts) – Swieqi United (14 Mar), Sirens (6 Apr), Birżebbuġa St Peter’s (12 Apr), Melita (18/19 Apr – TBA)

Birżebbuġa St Peter’s (2nd / 38pts) – Pietà Hotspurs (14 Mar), St Andrews Luxol (4 Apr), Balzan (12 Apr), Sirens (18/19 Apr – TBA)

Swieqi United (3rd / 36pts) – Balzan (14 Mar), Melita (4 Apr), St Andrews Luxol (11 Apr), Fgura United (18/19 Apr – TBA)

Melita (4th / 35pts) – St Andrews Luxol (14 Mar), Swieqi United (4 Apr), Fgura United (11 Apr), Balzan (18/19 Apr – TBA)

Sirens (5th / 32pts) – Fgura United (15 Mar), Balzan (6 Apr), Pietà Hotspurs (12 Apr), Birżebbuġa St Peter’s (18/19 Apr – TBA)

One thing immediately jumps out. Balzan, who are currently leading the way, have to play the remaining sides in the top five places. So they have the toughest run in on paper at least. And the prospect of a potential title-decider with Melita on the final day of the season is mouth-watering.

Although Sirens are flying somewhat under the radar in 5th, they are still very much within touching distance of the top two. One must not underestimate their goalscoring abilities either. A quick glance at the Top Scorers list for this season shows the club has no fewer than three different players in top eleven – Thiago Peixoto (14), Trezeguet Zammit (9), Hafiz Akadom (8). So they are a threat and their goal difference is a healthy +19, putting them only behind Balzan (+27).

Swieqi United have enjoyed a good season and signed well to add to their squad in the last window. The signing of Malta Under-21 international Benjamin Hili has strengthened them at the left wing-back position. Australian defender Isaac Davey was brought in from MPL side Żabbar St Patrick in the summer, and he’s partnered the likes of Samuel Okoh and Juan Cruz Aguilar in a back three. Meanwhile, Kian Leonardi has had a good season after signing from Pietà in the summer (13 goals), and Ghanaian Emmanuel Asante has added 10 goals.

Birżebbuġa St Peter’s have also gone about their business quietly, despite currently occupying second place. Although the lowest scorers in the top five, they also boast the lowest number of goals conceded. A workmanlike performance this past Sunday in a 2-2 draw with Swieqi United was the perfect advert for the club from the south coast. And they managed this despite being reduced to ten men for just over half the game.

Paul Lapira and Aléx Bruno have both notched 8 goals apiece this season so they have multiple goal threats. Meanwhile Duvan Mosquera is hot on their heels with seven goals, so they have options up top to get them vital goals.

Prediction

I’m not usually in the habit of making predictions when it comes to league finishes. But in pre-season I saw three of these five clubs in a tournament at Birżebbuġa. Now, not too much can be gleaned from pre-season, but I did predict that Swieqi United would go very close, even back then. They’re quick and well-organised. That has carried over into the league.

Balzan will be there or thereabouts. Many have predicted they will take out the title and I have a soft spot for “The Youth” so it would be great to see them back at the top table of Maltese football. They have experienced campaigners such as Samir Arab, Nicolas Pulis, Sean Cipriott and Clive Gauci, so they know what it takes to keep level heads. Add to that exciting younger players such as Dimeji Awosanya, fellow Nigerian striker Chiemezie Gabriel (11 goals), Jake Engerer, Jake Grech and Dylan Ciappara, and this is a squad that should get the job done.

That said, I still have a feeling for Melita. They were a great side to watch in the MPL last season and they have been able to keep the basis of that squad together. They have a striker who scores goals and a lot of youthful exuberance behind him. Brian Said is a steady hand at the wheel and, despite the surprise 0-1 reverse to Pietà Hotspurs on the weekend, I still expect them to be in the top two.

1. Melita
2. Balzan
3. Swieqi United
4. Birżebbuġa St Peter’s
5. Sirens

by Paul Gellard