The 2018 edition of the Mainland Premier League (MPL) kicks off on Saturday with number of firsts:

• a new format - 14 games over two rounds with the top five sides earning the right to contest the inaugural South Island League along with the top three sides from the Football South Premier League, with the bottom three sides in the MPL then playing each other twice to determine who will face relegation
• promoted Selwyn United become the 20^th different side to make their debut in the MPL since it was formed in 2002 and the first club outside Christchurch or Nelson to play in the league
• Andy Pitman (Nomads) and Lee Padmore (Selwyn) coach for the first time at this level
• a 10 minute ‘sin bin’ or temporary dismissal is going to be trialled for dissent offences directed at match official by on field players

With the truncated format of the league this season, the shortest ever in the history of the MPL, the title race now becoming more like sprint rather than a gradual build-up of the past. And while all teams will be out to lift the title, most will consider the bigger prize qualifying for the South Island League, the first time there has been a combine league in the South Island in 21 seasons.

Up to six MPL clubs will be waiting for players to become available once their ISPS Handa Premiership commitments have concluded, adding to team selection issues for the first handful of rounds, or longer if the players elect to have a break.

FC Twenty11 and Nelson Suburbs will have the honour of kicking the new season off when they meet at Avonhead Park at Midday. Selwyn host Coastal Spirit at Foster Park, with champions Ferrymead Bays host Nomads at Ferrymead Park and Ilam Fields will be the venue for the clash between Universities and Cashmere Technical, all three games commencing at 2:45pm.

FC Twenty11 have lost players and will be looking to fill the gaps by promoting from within the clubs Under 19 side. Players gone include Mainland Player of the Year, Sean Morris – overseas, with Michael White and Sam Wilkinson heading to Halswell.

Coach Glen Lapslie has a good track record for developing players and will be looking for to the new squad members to settle quickly and build on their fifth placing last season. Nelson Suburbs will be sporting a new strip, reverting to their traditional sky-blue colours which will also display  a new club logo when they run out. Player missing from last season include, Robbie Pearson and Matt Tod-Smith both overseas, and Kristian Gibson playing in Dunedin.

New signings include Jordan Yong, back in the country. Yong a prolific scorer when last teaming up with coach Steve Bignall at Richmond AFC. Suburbs Irish connecting continues with James McClay signing on along with both Tom Marston and Labu Pan, both ex FC Nelson. Suburbs are one of the most consistent MPL clubs, the 3 time champions not having finished in the bottom half of the table since 2009 and will be looking for a positive start to the season and maintain their undefeated run against FC.

Head to Head: Played 12 - Draws 2, Suburbs 10 Wins

A big crowd is likely when the Selwyn Stallions run out for their first premiership game, which has been five years in the waiting for their fans.

Coach, Lee Padmore has stayed true to the players that gained promotion, adding to his squad,Matt Pledger, a defender from Lower Hutt City, midfielder, Tom Stewart, ex FC Twenty11 and Hamiora Davey Brown, a forward from Halswell.

Selwyn will be looking to consolidate their place in the top flight this season, while looking to Dad Ede to add is 70 MPL goals which currently places him fifth on the all-time scoring list.

Coastal Spirit have also retained the bulk of their squad from 2017, with striker Jordan Ball now back in the UK. Former youth International keeper, Matt Thomas is back in Christchurch and now playing up front and currently has 10 MPL goals after previous outings with Burnside, Woolston Technical and Coastal. Ash Wellbourn - presently in England - will be turning out for Coastal when he returns in May. Coastal finished third last season and will be looking to improve again this season

Head to Head: This is the first time the two sides have met at this level

Defending champions, Ferrymead Bays, have lost several first team players from last season, keeper Adam Highfield - to Halswell, Michael Forshaw moved to Auckland, Geoff McIntyre - ChCh United and Chris Anderson – retired. Gains include both Jordan Halligan and Michael White from Cashmere Technical, with keeper Duncan Reed also signing; Bays are chasing what would be a seventh title.

Nomads has lost defender Dominic McGarr to Coastal with Ryan Batty and Daniel Burns electing to play down the grades at Nomads, with coach Pitman signings including Jayden Taylor from Universities. Like Bays. Nomads will be waiting for players to return from the ISPS Handi Premiership, so it may be a slow start to the season.

Head to Head: Played 33 – Bays 17 wins, Draws 7, Nomads 9 wins

Universities look to have lost more players than they have gained, with Jonny Inwood signing for Technical, Harrison Bowman to Bays, Taylor to Nomads with both Rodrigo Balcarzar and Aaron Heath to Christchurch United, with another five players unavailable this season.

Coach, Jesse Rawlings has gained Greg Moore and Tom Bailey from Bays with Keegan Hollis (Richmond) and Luis John (Melville) coming in for out of town. Cashmere Technical have also lost Stu Kelly to Christchurch United, with other losses and gains as previously stated. Keeper, Dan Knight back after being let down by a club in Australia. Aaron Clapham is likely to be available from more game time this season, and like others, will be waiting on the return of their ISPS Handa players, coach Deane Hutchinson will be looking to go one better after finishing in the runner-up position last season.

Head to Head: Played 12 – Universities 1 win, Technical 11 wins