We’re nearing the end of the Opening Round – League Phase.
Soon, teams will be divided into an Opening Round 𝗧𝗼𝗽 𝗦𝗶𝘅 and 𝗕𝗼𝘁𝘁𝗼𝗺 𝗦𝗶𝘅, – 𝗡𝗢𝗧 into championship and relegation pools.
This setup will allow us to start the Opening Round 𝗧𝗼𝗽 𝗦𝗶𝘅 and 𝗕𝗼𝘁𝘁𝗼𝗺 𝗦𝗶𝘅, which will run through the end of 2024.
Teams will carry their current points tally into this Opening Round 𝗧𝗼𝗽 𝗦𝗶𝘅 and 𝗕𝗼𝘁𝘁𝗼𝗺 𝗦𝗶𝘅, after which final standings and placings will be determined.
Teams Placement in case of equal points
ONLY IF teams are tied on points, rankings will first be decided by the 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗱-𝘁𝗼-𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁 from their direct encounter in the opening round.
If that result is also tied, rankings will be based on the best goal difference.
If this is still equal, the team with the highest overall goals scored across all eleven opening round matches will take the higher position.
Example
For instance, Floriana and Hibernians are currently tied in second and third place with 20 points each.
Since their head-to-head match ended in a 1-1 draw, the team with the better goal difference between them will rank higher.
If their goal differences are also equal (e.g., 18-7 and 20-9), then the team with more goals scored overall (20), in the opening round, will take the higher position.
In the League Phase of the Closing Round, starting in early 2025, teams will reset with zero points, again over 11 matches, similar to the current Opening Round: League Phase.
This detailed insight below from competition rules can further assist:-
IV. For the sole purpose of determining the placing of teams in a pre-established Fixture-List in a competition which is played on a league basis, and the Rules governing that particular competition do not specify what should happen in the case that two (2) or more teams finish on equal points, no deciding matches shall be played and the placing of the teams for this purpose only, shall be decided by following the under mentioned criteria in the following order:
(a) the highest number of points in the direct encounters;
(b) in case of equal number of points in the direct encounters, the best goal difference in the direct encounters;
(c) in case of equal number of points and same goal difference in the direct encounters, the highest number of goals scored in the direct encounters;
(d) in case of equal number of points, same goal difference and same number of goals scored in the direct encounters, the best goal difference in the League or Section;
(e) in case of equal number of points, same goal difference and same number of goals scored in the direct encounters and same goal difference in the league, the highest number of goals scored in the League or Section; and
(f) in case of equal number of points, same goal difference and same number of goals scored in the direct encounters, same goal difference and same number of goals scored in the League or Section, the drawing of lots.
All this also applies to determine final placements at the end of:-
Opening Round: Top Six & Bottom Six – Nov/December 2024
Closing Round: League Phase – January/March 2025
Closing Round: Top Six & Bottom Six – April/May 2025
