Holders Hibernians will have their eyes firmly set on booking their place in the quarter-finals of the U*Bet FA Trophy this evening when they take on Division One side Gudja United at the Cen-tenary Stadium.

The fourth-round match is the first from six Last-16 ties between today and tomorrow that will decide the other six teams to join Żebbuġ Rangers and St Andrew’s in the hat for the quarter-final draw.

Żebbuġ and St Andrew’s sealed their passage following victories over Marsaskala and Mqabba on Sunday.

The Paolites, who negotiated their way to this stage with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Mosta, start favourites to see off modest Gudja who beat Senglea Athletic 2-0 in the previous round.

Coach Michael Woods will surely be pleased with the form of his players after seeing them brush aside Ħamrun Spartans’ weak challenge in a 6-1 league victory on Saturday.

Today, Woods may opt to give some playing time to his fringe players with an eye on Sunday’s tricky Premier League match against Championship Pool seek-ers Balzan.

Tomorrow, Valletta should easily dispense of GFA Division One leaders Nadur Youngsters but Birkirkara will have to be wary of the threat posed by Qormi, last year’s beaten FA Trophy finalists.

Valletta, who ousted Ħamrun Spartans in the third round, hold too much firepower for the Youngsters but will do well not to lower their guard knowing the Gozitan team are coming from a 3-1 shock win over Żejtun Corinthians to reach this stage of the competition.

At Birkirkara, goalkeeper Justin Haber is expected to make his debut in what promises to be a tight match against a Qormi team still hoping to avoid the Relegation Pool following a last-gasp 2-1 win over Tarxien Rainbows at the weekend.

Qormi needed extra-time to beat Pembroke in the third round as the Stripes eliminated Tarxien.

Also tomorrow, Floriana and Balzan should find little difficulty in reaching the next round when they face Division One sides Lija and Gżira respectively.

Rabat Ajax should also make it to the last eight when they play GFA Division One wooden-spoonists Sannat Lions at the Gozo Stadium.

Fourth round

Today (Centenary Stadium)
Gudja vs Hibernians - 19.00

Tomorrow (Centenary Stadium)
Valletta vs Nadur - 18.00
Qormi vs Birkirkara - 20.00

(Tedesco Stadium)
Balzan vs Gżira - 18.00
Lija vs Floriana - 20.15

Tomorrow (Gozo Stadium)
Sannat vs Rabat - 18.00

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