The 16th season of the Bangladesh Premier League will get underway Friday, while the 36th edition of the Federation Cup will roll on the field four days later, Bangladesh Football Federation announced Wednesday.
Holders and four-time champions in a row, Bashundhara Kings will once again start as favorites as they bid to clinch another top-tier league title and reduce the gap with Abahani Limited, the record six-time winners.
With three league crowns, Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club will be looking to upset the odds after forming an exciting squad this season.
The Kings will face promoted Brothers Union at Kings Arena at 4:30pm Friday in one of four matches on the opening day.
Earlier at 2:30pm, Abahani will take on Rahmatganj MFS in Gopalganj, Mohammedan Sporting Club will lock horns with Fortis FC in Rajshahi and Police FC will play against Chittagong Abahani in Mymensingh.
In Saturday’s lone clash at Kings Arena, Sheikh Jamal will pit their wits against Sheikh Russel Krira Chakra.
The league games will be held every weekend and the Federation Cup ties each Tuesday where the 10 BPL teams will take part.
Abahani are the record 12-time champions of the cup competition while Mohammedan are second with 11 titles, the latest coming last season following an exhilarating final in Comilla against the Sky Blues.
The Black and Whites prevailed 4-2 on spot-kicks after the grand finale ended 4-4 following extra time.
New powerhouse Kings have won the domestic cup competition twice and this season will be looking to bag their third crown, joining a trio of clubs with three titles each – Muktijoddha Sangsad, Brothers and Sheikh Jamal.
Gopalganj, which hosted this season’s final of the curtain-raiser Independence Cup between victors Kings and Mohammedan, will hold the Federation Cup finale on May 21 next year.
Kings will get things going this Tuesday in Gopalganj against Fortis at 2:30pm, while Rahmatganj will be up against Police in the other encounter of the opening day in Munshiganj.