Four teams will be gunning to reach the final of the U*Bet FA Trophy this weekend.
In previous years, the semi-finals were played after the end of the league campaign but this term, the Malta FA have decided to break with tradition by holding the two last-four ties in March instead of May.
This weekend's semi-finals were widely expected to top the local football agenda but they have been overshadowed by a fresh corruption scandal in Maltese football (see story above).
The credibility of the local game has suffered another hammer blow but, given the unfavourable circumstances, the Trophy ties might help to lift spirits if they unfold into keenly-contested and thrilling affairs.
The first semi-final, this afternoon at 15.30, pits together champions Valletta and Birkirkara, the FA Trophy holders. It's a clash of heavyweights with the Citizens keen to stay on course for a treble and the Stripes determined to keep their hold on the trophy.
Valletta, who won the season-opening BOV Super Cup at the expense of Birkirkara and are still very much in contention to defend their league title, are also determined to banish painful memories of the 4-2 semi-final upset to the Stripes last year.
Paul Zammit, the Valletta coach, cannot send out his best formation today. His midfield options have been weakened by the one-match ban imposed on Edmond Agius and the shoulder injury suffered by Stefan Giglio during training earlier this week.
Argentine forward Sebastian Monesterolo has yet to shake off a knee problem and captain Gilbert Agius is doubtful with an ankle injury.
The Citizens go into this match in high spirits after a come-from-behind 3-1 victory over Hamrun in their last Premier League match but the same cannot be said of Birkirkara who threw away a 2-0 lead in a 3-2 defeat to Hibernians.
John Buttigieg, the Birkirkara coach, was incensed by his team's appalling slump in the final stages of the match against Hibs but he will call on his players to make amends for that upset with victory over Valletta today.
Birkirkara ought to be heartened by their head-to-head record with Valletta this season as their two league encounters ended all square - 2-2 and 1-1.
"We are coming from two negative results," Buttigieg said.
"Losing 3-2 to Hibs after being 2-0 ahead was very frustrating. The semi-final against Valletta will be another difficult game but I hope that we play better than we did in the last few matches."
Birkirkara beat Tarxien Rainbows 2-1 in the quarter-finals and Valletta knocked out rivals Floriana on penalties.
All-blue clash
Sliema Wanderers take on Marsaxlokk in the second semi-final, tomorrow at the National Stadium (15.30).
Both teams are optimistic about their chances of reaching the final after avoiding joint-favourites Valletta and Birkirkara in the draw.
Stephen Azzopardi, the Sliema coach, must be satisfied with his team's progress of late after the Wanderers gained four points from their last two league matches.
Sliema will not be at full strength as young midfielder Mark Scerri is sidelined with a knee problem and Daniel Saverino has travelled to China for a second trial with a club there.
Striker Ivan Woods is ranked doubtful as he has yet to recover from a sprained ankle while Henry Bonello and Alex Muscat were down with flu this week.
Marsaxlokk coach Patrick Curmi had hoped that his team would approach their semi-final in a positive frame of mind after their last-ditch qualification to the Championship Pool. However, his preparations have been disrupted by news that assistant coach Peter Hartshorne and midfielder Claude Mattocks have pleaded guilty to trying to bribe Msida St Joseph goalkeeper Matthew Camilleri in November last year.
Curmi will surely urge his players to put the latest off-field controversy to one side and concentrate on the clash with Sliema. The Marsaxlokk mentor has no selection worries bar goalkeeper Saviour Darmanin who is still recovering from a fractured finger.
Marsaxlokk held Sliema to a goalless draw in their first league meeting this season but the latter won 2-1 in the second round.
In the FA Trophy quarter-finals, Marsaxlokk ousted Hamrun Spartans 3-2 and Sliema beat Hibs 1-0.