Hong Kong Premier League: Kitchee to fend off Lee Man and rule again, shock relegation tip

As the domestic season begins, reporter Paul McNamara backs Kitchee to win again and names two potential surprise packages

Kitchee will begin their title defence away at BC Rangers on Saturday, while intriguing newcomers Supreme Sha Tin go to Eastern on Friday night, as the Hong Kong Premier League campaign gets under way this weekend.

It is all change again, with the championship and challenge rounds introduced last term replaced by a regular home and away calendar. We are up to 11 clubs, with Supreme promoted and 2025-26 basement dwellers Football Club given a mulligan.

Six teams will begin the season under new managers; the stand-out appointment perhaps belonging to Lee Man, who have hired Giancarlo Italiano, the Australian former Wellington Phoenix boss. He starts his reign at home to rebranded Wofoo Kowloon City on Sunday.

The league has still not managed to ensure every match has VAR, but that is one for another day.

Here, we have a look at what you can expect from this unique and curiously absorbing competition over the next nine months.