Enthralling finale in prospect

Crunch time is upon us.

Monday's abrasive encounter between Valletta and Ħamrun Spartans brought the curtains down on the first phase of the 2008-09 Premier League but the only pending issue, before the customary split, was resolved on Saturday when Marsaxlokk tied up the final spot in the Championship Pool after a 2-1 win over Msida St Joseph in a decisive match.

Marsaxlokk's 'great escape' has restored order in the Premier League in that forecasts tipped the Blues to challenge for a top-three position, never mind gaining a place in the Championship Pool.

Yet, for much of the opening seven months of the season, Marsaxlokk flirted with the prospect of a grim relegation scrap as a string of stuttering performances left them in the lower end of the table and well adrift of Msida.

The other five berths in the Championship Pool have been taken by the 'usual suspects' but a glance at the standings would reveal that not everything went according to script for some teams.

Hibs' status as the leaders of the Premier League ahead of the home straight is a pleasant surprise if you happen to be a fan of the team from Paola or a neutral yearning for an enthralling title race.

Mark Miller and his players certainly deserve all the praise coming their way for they have lit up the Premier League with their penchant for attacking football.

Miller has clearly transformed the squad he inherited from Robert Gatt. Unlike some of their rivals, Hibs have not spent heavily on new recruits but Miller has clearly made the right signings in the versatile Rumen Galabov, Uruguayan midfielder Christian Callejas and young right-back Edward Herrera.

It speaks volumes about the team spirit Miller has fostered among his players that Hibs look to have made light of the defection of Alexis Tekumu Mbongo.

Although Hibs have so far resisted the temptation to talk up their title chances, their strong performance in the first phase, one indubitably inspired by the rejuvenated Andrew Cohen and the free-scoring Terrence Scerri, will have given them renewed belief that they can go all the way.

Failure to secure pole position ahead of the Championship Pool may tempt some to suggest that Valletta have not lived up to expectations but certainly, their extraordinary run of 18 matches without a defeat merits more than a footnote in any analysis of the first half of the 2008-09 season.

True, Valletta have not been firing on all cylinders but their bid to retain the title is still very much alive and kicking.

Coach Paul Zammit has the strongest squad in the Premier League at his disposal but it looks like Valletta are being struck down by the weight of expectation.

Most of their new signings took their time to get going and the likes of Sebastian Monesterolo and Brazilian Paulo Massaro have yet to prove themselves this season.

A flying start to the Championship Pool could set up the platform for another successful tilt at the title but contrary to what many of their fans might have thought at the start of the season, Valletta will not walk away with the championship.

Birkirkara's title chances have receded after back-to-back defeats to Marsaxlokk and Hibernians in their last two outings. On their day, Birkirkara can hold their own against the other title hopefuls but their inconsistency has raised serious questions about their mental strength.

John Buttigieg is a great believer in teamwork and tactical discipline and on some occasions this season, the Stripes looked the part as title contenders. However, their latest defeats suggest otherwise with Birkirkara crying for inspiration when the going got tough and to this end, their senior players need to step up to the plate and drive the team forward.

The other three teams in the Championship Pool, namely Sliema Wanderers, Floriana and Marsaxlokk, are, by and large, on the same wavelength. Theirs has been a topsy-turvy campaign with Sliema, who are fourth in the league, hitting a rocky patch after a promising start.

Having parted with several experienced players in the close season, Sliema have had to lower their targets but nevertheless, more was expected of them as they still possess a most valid squad. The likes of Ivan Woods, Alex Muscat, Ian Azzopardi, Jeffrey Chetcuti, Branko Nisevic and Noel Turner are household names in Maltese football but coach Stephen Azzopardi is still searching for the right balance between experience and youth.

Floriana have reached their pre-season goal of a place in the Championship Pool.

They have a limited squad but in the likes of Pablo Doffo, Orosco Anonam and Sunday Eboh, Floriana have three strong players who have blended well with their upcoming youths.

Goalkeeper Steffen Suessner has been excellent since replacing Dejan Maksic but the Greens have been badly affected by off-field controversies and their Brazilian striker Paolo Rogerio Da Silva has not given their forward line the flair and punch it so badly needs.

Marsaxlokk are still savouring their feat in crossing the Championship Pool entry line at the last minute but they certainly can't get carried away.

They ought to have sealed their target much earlier than they did but if anything, their improvement of late augurs well for their hopes of climbing up the table.

Coach Patrick Curmi has done a good job in restoring stability at Marsaxlokk after a turbulent period but his players must remain focused if they are to maintain the upward trend.

Relegation Pool

A thrilling relegation fight looms. Not more than four points separate Msida from Tarxien Rainbows with Ħamrun Spartans and Qormi sandwiched in between.

There are no clear favourites in the relegation battle. Msida are leading the four-way fight but they are coming from four straight defeats and look very vulnerable.

Coach Joe Abdilla's top priority is to enhance his players' self-belief as Msida are still kicking themselves after missing out on a place in the Championship Pool.

Qormi must also improve.

Jesmond Zerafa has an experienced squad but Qormi's level of performance has left much to be desired. The injury-forced absence of Alfred Effiong was a big blow and his return should boost Qormi's chances of avoiding the drop.

Ħamrun Spartans may have lost their last match against Valletta but they ought to pluck courage from their recent performances. Coach Steve D'Amato has improved the team's work ethic and in Sylvano Comvalius, the Spartans have a match winner.

On paper, Ħamrun have what it takes to retain their Premier League status but they need to be mentally strong and united because they are likely to encounter a few bumps along the way.

Tarxien Rainbows are bottom of the class but the 3-0 rout of Floriana in their last outing confirmed their intent to put up a strong fight in the Relegation Pool. Noel Coleiro's team are a match for any of their relegation rivals and in Daniel Mariano Bueno they have a potent attacking weapon.

Cool heads will be needed in the Relegation Pool and if Tarxien maintain their focus, they might defy pre-season expectations.