This weekend’s other quarter-final matches

Sliema Wanderers vs Birkirkara (today at 2 p.m., National Stadium).

Sliema and Birkirkara have high aspirations of winning the FA Trophy.

For the Blues, a run to the final of the KO is a must if they want to stay in with a chance of competing in the Europa League next season.

Birkirkara are in contention for the runners-up spot in the league and automatic qualification to the Europa League but they also crave success in the Trophy to win some silverware this season.

Like Hibs, Sliema have allayed their relegation worries after their 2-1 win over Vittoriosa Stars last weekend took them 11 points clear of the relegation spot with only three matches left.

Coach Danilo Doncic has some injury concerns as captain Mark Scerri is doubtful and Beppe Muscat is out after suffering a concussion against Vittoriosa.

Alex Muscat is recovering from a muscle strain while Hungarian goalkeeper Viktor Szentpeteri and Etienne Barbara are not 100 per cent fit but both are expected to be included in the squad.

Birkirkara coach Paul Zammit will have been heartened by his team’s fine performance in the 4-1 defeat of Marsaxlokk last weekend.

Zammit was due to assess the condition of Rowen Muscat and Shaun Bajada after both missed the Marsaxlokk win due to injury. Scottish goalkeeper Michael Fraser is out with a knee problem while a host of Birkirkara players were down with flu during the week.

Tarxien Rainbows vs Vittoriosa Stars (tomorrow at 2 p.m., National Stadium).

Tarxien Rainbows look to have a slight edge over the Division One-bound Vittoriosa Stars but in KO matches, there are no favourites.

Furthermore, Vittoriosa reached the last eight in emphatic fashion as they trounced Marsaxlokk 3-0. In the initial round, Vittoriosa Stars eliminated Gozitan champions Victoria Hotspurs 4-2.

For their part, Tarxien eased past Balzan Youths (3-1) in the first round but they needed extra-time to overcome Ħamrun Spartans 3-2 and book their place in the quarter-finals.

Brazilian Sergio is suspended for tomorrow’s game following his late red card in the game against the Spartans.

Vittoriosa coach Winston Muscat is without Pierre Aquilina who is recovering from influenza.

Qormi vs Floriana (tomorrow at 4 p.m., National Stadium).

Floriana will be without Daniel Nwoke for their quarter-final against Qormi. The Nigerian must serve a one-match ban after being dismissed in Floriana’s 1-0 extra-time win over Mosta in the previous round.

The FA Trophy has become the no.1 objective for the Greens and the pressure on the team to move into the semi-finals has increased after their 3-0 upset to neighbouring rivals Valletta last Sunday.

Apart from Nwoke’s absence, Floriana coach Michael Woods has a full squad at his disposal.

Qormi are looking to emulate their run to the FA Trophy final last season and possibly go one better by winning it.

Stephen Azzopardi and his players were left seething over the manner of their 4-3 defeat to Hibs in the league after the latter were awarded two debatable penalties in the second half.

The Qormi coach will have urged his charges to put the Hibs upset behind them and centre their attention on tomorrow’s quarter-final with Floriana.

Midfielder George Mallia is doubtful with a hamstring strain and Roderick Sammut is still on the casualty list.

Ticket offer

The Malta FA’s ticket offer for the Malta-Greece Euro 2012 Group F qualifier closes tomorrow.

Paying fans for this weekend’s U*Bet FA Trophy quarter-finals at the National Stadium and matches from Division One to Division Three will be eligible to purchase tickets for today week’s international at only €4 for a seat in the Millennium Stand and only €2 for the South Stand.

Match tickets can also be bought online by logging on to www.action.com.mt.