Blocking the way... Hibs midfielder Bjorn Kristensen (centre) stumbles as he is challenged by Terence Agius, of Balzan, during their last league match. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli

Unstoppable in the BOV Premier League, Hibernians will be striving to carry their championship form into the FA Trophy, now sponsored by Attian Group, when they take on Balzan in the quarter-finals this evening at the National Stadium (kick-off 8pm).

Hibernians, eight points clear at the summit of the Premier League, are on a quest to achieve the double and emulate Valletta’s feat last season but their bid to advance to the semi-finals promises to be anything but plainsailing.

They will run into a Balzan team who will be ultra-motivated to improve their own chances of capturing their first major honour not only to accomplish their mission of qualifying for Europe but also to justify their massive outlay on new players this season.

Bjorn Kristensen, the Hibs midfielder, made it clear that their seemingly inexorable march towards the league title has not lessened their desire to lift the cup.

“If you ask me, the FA Trophy is as important as the Premier League title,” Kristensen told Times of Malta.

“Our objective is to win all the honours at stake and I hope that we remain unbeaten this season.”

Hibs’ extraordinary run has made them the team to beat but Kristensen is confident that, with the right levels of concentration and commitment, the Premier League leaders can overcome all hurdles.

“It will not be easy,” the young Malta international said. “We are the team to beat and our opponents will be going all out to halt our run but it’s up to us really.

“If we perform to the best of our abilities, I believe we can surpass any obstacle.

“Our mentality is the same for every game. We set out to win every match and our morale is high after our derby win.”

Judging by their head-to-head record, Hibs have a distinct edge over Balzan after beating them twice in the league, scoring seven goals in the process (3-0 and 4-0).

Since their 4-0 loss to Hibs on January 18, Balzan have been galvanised by the inclusion of Bojan Kaljevic, who was on target in the 2-1 victory over Valletta but, without the Montenegrin powerhouse, the Reds slumped to a 2-1 loss to Pietà.

Kaljevic, who marked his Balzan debut with a four-goal haul in their 6-0 hammering of Żabbar St Patrick in the previous round of the FA Trophy, and Italian striker Gianmarco Piccioni are set to resume their striking partnership after missing the Pietá upset through suspension.

“Balzan’s attack has clearly been reinforced by Kaljevic’s arrival but his inclusion means that they will have to leave out another foreigner and that may leave them weak in other areas,” Kristensen said.

Branko Nisevic, the Hibs coach, can’t pick his strongest formation for tonight’s quarter-final as defender Andrei Agius is suspended following his red card in the 3-1 victory over Nadur Youngsters in the fourth round.

Wing-back Marcelo Dias is sidelined with injury while newly-signed striker Andre Luis is out with a shoulder problem.

Defender Rui De Gracia Gomes has returned after playing for Equatorial Guinea in the African Cup.

The Paolites, winners of back-to-back FA Trophy titles in 2012 and 2013, are chasing their 11th success. Balzan are vying for their first FA Trophy victory.

“It’s a very important target for us as our aim is to qualify for Europe this season,” Steve Bezzina, the Balzan captain, said.

“We’re in for a very difficult match as Hibs are very strong but we are fully focused and looking forward to the challenge.”

Before their last league meeting with Hibs, Balzan, fourth in the league, had been fancied to give the leaders a rough ride but they flattered to deceive after going down 4-0.

Bezzina has urged his team-mates to make amends for that debacle.

“In our last meeting with Hibs, the game slipped from our hands after a good start,” Bezzina said.

“We went 2-0 down and the game was over after we had a player (Elkin Serrano) sent off.

“We hope to make up for that defeat. This match is an opportunity for us to show that we can compete with the top sides in the Premier League.”

Victory over Hibs would not only give Balzan a confidence injection, it would significantly bolster their chances of winning the cup.

“Theoretically, we are 270 minutes away from winning the FA Trophy and when you get so close to such an important objective, you want to go all the way,” Bezzina said.

“The prospect of reaching the semi-finals has increased our motivation to go out and fight to stay in this competition.”

Coach Oliver Spiteri has no selection problems.

Quarter-finals

Today: National Stadium 6pm Mosta vs Valletta; 8pm Balzan vs Hibernians.
Tomorrow: Hibernians Stadium 2pm Qormi vs Sirens; 4pm Birkirkara vs Pietà Hotspurs