Elite teams favourites to reach semi-finals

Last week`s draw enhanced the prospect of Malta`s elite four contesting the semi-finals as Hibernians, Sliema Wanderers, Birkirkara and Valletta were handed relatively easy ties.

Although, on paper, the big guns should ease into the semi-finals, KO competitions are notorious for the surprises they can produce and Malta`s heavyweights will be very much aware that they cannot afford to take things easy over the weekend.

If the Premier League final standings are anything to go by, newly-crowned Malta champions Hibernians face the toughest quarter-final as they have to contend with sixth-placed Hamrun Spartans (kick-off 5 p.m.) whereas the other top three teams came up against sides from the league`s relegation pool.

Robert Gatt, the Hibernians mentor, will have had a tough task keeping the players` level of concentration high after the euphoria which greeted their first Premier League title in seven years.

Having proved to one and sundry that they have the potential to win honours, Hibernians are now expected to offer another strong challenge in the KO competition to complete a double.

For today`s clash against Hamrun, the champions will be without midfielder Peter Pullicino, still out with a groin injury but otherwise all the other players are available for selection.

On their part, Hamrun Spartans will relish their status as dark horses for the Rothmans Trophy. Atanas Marinov`s side will derive encouragement from a couple of positive performances against the Malta champions in the first phase of the league, when they only lost 1-0 and drew 1-1 in the second round encounter.

Cesar Paiber is ruled out of today`s match against the champions after seeing red in the Spartans` 2-1 defeat of Mosta in the second round. Jonathan Magri Overend was ill during the week while Matthew Galea is also doubtful with an ankle problem.

This afternoon`s first match is an all-blue affair as league runners-up Sliema Wanderers take on Pietà Hotspurs at 3 p.m.

After failing to win the league, Sliema`s only way to salvage their season is to clinch the Rothmans Trophy.

Coach Jeff Wood can bank on a full complement for today`s match but a decision on Orosco Anonam will be made today as the Nigerian was due to return from a four-day trial with French Division One outfit AJ Auxerre yesterday evening.

The Hotspurs are one of three teams in the KO quarter-finals to have spent the last few weeks striving to avoid demotion but their qualification to the last eight at the expense of the more-quoted Floriana should warn Sliema against complacency. Coach Patrick Curmi is expected to field his strongest formation.

In their two Premier League encounters this season, Sliema beat Pietà Hotspurs twice, 3-1 and 3-0.

Valletta with their backs to the wall

Tomorrow afternoon, it will be the turn of Birkirkara and Valletta to enter the fray against Naxxar Lions and Marsa respectively.

The Stripes, assured of a berth in UEFA competitions after their 2-2 draw with Hibernians last Sunday, are surefire favourites to ease into the semi-finals against relegated side Naxxar Lions. The Lions made it to the KO quarter-finals after defeating Lija Athletic 5-1.

Stephen Azzopardi, the Birkir-kara coach, is still hampered by injuries to several key players but the fine performances of Lucian Dronca and Joe Brincat in last week`s final league match will have lifted his spirits.

In the Premier League, Birkirkara obtained two easy victories over Naxxar Lions, 5-1 and 6-1.

Valletta`s failure to clinch third spot in the league has left them in a backs-to-the-wall situation ahead of the Rothmans Trophy quarter-finals.

The struggling Citizens must progress in the competition if they are to take part in UEFA club competitions next season.

Georgi Deanov`s men are expected to give their all to write their name on the Trophy to qualify for the UEFA Cup and avoid an unwelcome trip to Albania in the much-derided Intertoto Cup competition.

Deanov is expected to stick with the team that had the better of Sliema Wanderers 2-0 in their last league encounter as midfielders Ivan Zammit and Kamil Dvorak are still recovering from knee injuries.

Marsa, delighted to have laid their relegation ghost to rest with that 2-1 victory over Naxxar Lions, have nothing to lose and they will take a lot of encouragement from their positive league results against Valletta... a 3-3 draw and a 1-0 victory.

In the second round of the KO competition, Marsa saw off Rabat Ajax 4-0.

Midfielder Alan Mifsud is still out of the equation with a broken leg but otherwise all the other players are at coach Lolly Aquilina`s disposal.