Valletta launch their quest to defend the FA Trophy with a seemingly straightforward tie against Division One strugglers Birżebbuġa St Peters as the remaining 12 third-round games from this season’s Knock-Out competition are played between today and tomorrow.
The stand-out fixture is the all-Premier League clash between Floriana and Sliema Wanderers, just three days after the Greens upstaged their Old Firm rivals in a league game.
Sliema, who lost 1-0 to Valletta in last season’s FA Trophy final, will doubtless be looking to soften the disappointment of their 2-0 upset to Floriana on Sunday, knowing that another defeat would deepen their gloom in a potentially defining week for their season.
Hibernians, 12 points clear at the top in the BOV Premier League, are next up for Sliema in the championship on Saturday.
The return of energetic midfielder Mark Scerri, who missed Sunday’s clash due to suspension, is a plus for the Blues.
Floriana will be bidding to replicate their enterprising performance on Sunday as they look to advance to the last 16 of the FA Trophy.
Giovanni Tedesco, the Floriana coach, will be hoping that the victory over Sliema marks the start of a consistent run by his young team as the Greens have shown that they have the potential to aspire for a top-five finish but have struggled for consistency.
Sliema have won the FA Trophy a record 20 times, one more than Floriana.
The Sliema-Floriana encounter is the only third round fixture between top-flight clubs as the remaining 10 sides were drawn against teams from the lower leagues.
Theteams in the elite division start as favourites to book their place in the last 16 but the first four third-round matches, played at the weekend, have vindicated the competition’s reputation for throwing up surprises as Sirens, of Division Two, claimed the scalp of Division One side Lija Athletic while Żabbar St Patrick, also of Division Two, ousted Msida St Joseph.
Champions Valletta, winners of a league and cup double last season, appear to carry too much ammunition for Birżebbuġa who are bottom of Division One with one point from nine games.
The Whites, on a roll after five straight wins in the championship, served further notice of their resurgent form after thrashing Tarxien Rainbows 6-0 last Saturday.
Coaches Ivan Zammit and Gilbert Agius are expected to give a run-out to a host of players who have not seen much first-team action this season while some of the team’s key personnel, including the foreigners, may well be rested ahead of Saturday’s derby against Floriana.
Hibs, who were surprisingly eliminated by Pietà Hotspurs in the fourth round last season, meet neighbours St George’s who beat St Andrew’s on penalties in the previous round.
Branko Nisevic, the Hibs coach, is likely to give a chance to the young elements in his squad, moreso after Joseph Mbong put in a lively performance in the 6-0 defeat of Qormi.
Birkirkara, back to winning ways in the league with a 3-1 victory over Żebbuġ Rangers, have a tricky game against Division Two high-fliers Ħamrun Spartans in a repeat of the 2008 final, won 2-1 by the Stripes.
Coach Paul Zammit has high hopes of going far in the Trophy this season after Birkirkara failed to make their mark on the competition since claiming their fifth triumph in 2008.
Most of the other ties see Premier League teams take on Division One sides as Pietà meet Pembroke, Naxxar face Melita and Tarxien play Gudja.
Mosta meet Division Two outfit Senglea Athletic tomorrow while Qormi and Balzan play against Division Three sides Qrendi and Kirkop United respectively.
Żebbuġ Rangers clash with Gozitan side Victoria Hotspurs who ought to take courage from Nadur Youngsters’ 4-1 win over Għargħur last weekend.
Fixtures
Today
Centenary Stadium: 18.00 St George’s vs Hibernians; 20.15 Pembroke vs Pietà Hotspurs.
Sirens Stadium: 18.00 Siġġiewi vs Żurrieq; 20.15 Balzan vs Kirkop United.
Tedesco Stadium: 18.00 Birżebbuġa vs Valletta; 20.15 Naxxar Lions vs Melita.
Tomorrow
Centenary Stadium: 18.00 Mosta vs Senglea Athletic; 20.15 Birkirkara vs Ħamrun Spartans.
Sirens Stadium: 18.00 Żebbuġ Rangers vs Victoria Hotspurs; 20.15 Qrendi vs Qormi.
Tedesco Stadium: 18.00 Tarxien Rainbows vs Gudja United; 20.15 Floriana vs Sliema Wanderers.