Mosta’s perfect start to the VBet Malta Premier will be put to another stern test when they face fellow high-flyers Marsaxlokk at the National Stadium on Saturday evening.

Mario Muscat’s side have emerged as the early revelation of the season, collecting maximum points from their opening three matches, including impressive victories over Ħamrun Spartans and Birkirkara.

Mosta’s strong opening has been built around a successful summer recruitment drive, with their new overseas signings quickly settling alongside the players retained from last season.

Rather than relying on one outstanding individual, the Blues have impressed with their collective strength, something Muscat believes has been crucial to their early success.

“I am really happy with the work we carried out this summer,” Muscat said.

“We took a while before choosing our overseas players to make sure they were the right profile and in the positions that we needed. I am pleased that we have signed some quality overseas players who complement our group of Maltese players.

“Results have been great so far, but it would be a huge mistake if we thought that we have achieved anything. The season is very long and, as we saw in recent seasons, the most important thing is how you finish.

“On Saturday we face one of the best teams in the division in Marsaxlokk. Last season they came agonisingly close to winning the championship and have a squad full of top players, so there is no doubt that we need to be at the top of our game.”

The contrast with last season could hardly be greater for Mosta. The Blues endured a difficult campaign and only secured their top-flight status on the final day.

Muscat believes those struggles have helped strengthen his squad ahead of the current campaign.

“Last season was a great learning curve for our players,” he said. “Midway through the campaign we went on a run of eight successive defeats where the team played well, but results failed to arrive.

“But during that time we kept working hard and in the end we managed to keep our place in the top division. Last season’s experience helped us grow as a team and we are determined not to go through such an experience this year.”

Marsaxlokk, meanwhile, head into the match unbeaten themselves after collecting seven points from their opening three outings.

Coach Enzo Potenza expects another difficult assignment against a Mosta side he believes possesses both talent and character.

“Mosta is a team that always provides a stern challenge,” Potenza said.

“They are blessed to have a great football academy that is nurturing some exciting youngsters and they have brought in some talented foreign players.

“One thing that stands out for me about Mosta is that they have always shown great character and are capable of suffering.

“I am sure that we’re in for a very difficult match, but this is a very tough championship and we need to show our strength consistently week in and week out.”

Potenza believes Marsaxlokk’s progress over the past few seasons has been based not only on technical quality but also on assembling a squad with the right mentality.

“Our club has been working hard during the past two years on a planned strategy that has seen the team improve consistently in terms of performances,” he said.

“When it comes to bringing in new players, we don’t just look at their technical ability but also make sure they have the right human values.

“Losing the Finalissima against Floriana in that manner was a hammer blow for us, but after that setback I saw the response I always thought these players had. They reacted to that disappointment by working harder on the training pitch.

“Our team is formed by players who have great values and our strength is our collectiveness. That is what helps us go through difficult times during matches.

“This championship is very hard to win and the goal has to be to keep performing and picking up points every week and then see where we are at the end of the season.”

Saturday’s programme at the National Stadium will also see Balzan face Birżebbuġa at 6pm before Mosta and Marsaxlokk meet at 8.30pm.

On Sunday, attention switches to the Centenary Stadium, where Sliema Wanderers take on Birkirkara at 6pm before Ħamrun Spartans face Żabbar St Patrick at 8.30pm.

Programme

Saturday – National Stadium
Balzan vs Birżebbuġa – 18.00
Mosta vs Marsaxlokk – 20.30

Sunday – Centenary Stadium
Sliema Wanderers vs Birkirkara – 18.00
Ħamrun Spartans vs Żabbar St Patrick – 20.30