Interest in the National League 100 Anniversary Cup is expected to increase by a few notches this weekend as 14 teams will be vying for a place in the quarter-finals of this one-off competition.
The quarter-final line-up will not be completed before Wednesday night when the winner of the pending third round match between Valletta and Gozo FC, due to be played this evening, meet Vittoriosa Stars.
Valletta, who have high hopes of lifting the Anniversary Cup, had been scheduled to make their debut in the competition last month but their clash with struggling Division Two outfit Gozo FC was postponed several times for a variety of reasons.
It goes without saying that the Citizens are everyone's favourites to set up a fourth round tie with Vittoriosa but cup competitions are famed for throwing up surprises.
Every game is like a final for Valletta this season because they are expected to win them all but the last three league outings provided the Whites with a timely reminder of the pitfalls awaiting them if they fail to keep their concentration and play as a team.
Valletta coach Ton Caanen will surely warn his players against complacency, knowing that an early exit from this competition at the hands of a third-tier team would be a catastrophe for the club.
Caanen is expected to refresh his team for tonight's game at the Centenary Stadium with Steve Borg, who impressed after coming on as a half-time substitute in the edgy 3-2 win over Ħamrun Spartans, in line to start.
Borg was one of six Valletta players who figured for Malta's U-23 team in Wednesday's 3-1 defeat to Italia Lega Pro but only Ian Zammit and Steve Bezzina played the full 90 minutes.
Roderick Briffa is still recovering from an ankle problem and captain Gilbert Agius is doubtful with a rib injury but otherwise Caanen has a full squad at his disposal.
The highlight of this weekend's fourth round fixtures is tomorrow's clash between champions Hiber-nians and Marsaxlokk.
The injury-ravaged Paolites, who eliminated Qormi on penalties in the previous round, are acutely aware that qualification to the quarter-finals is by no means a formality as Marsaxlokk are regarded as one of the dangerous floaters in the competition.
The Blues fired a strong warning in the third round after knocking out Premier League side Birkirkara on penalties after a goalless stalemate at the end of the regular 90 minutes (there is no extra-time in Anniversary Cup matches).
Sliema Wanderers will be looking to boost their flailing morale tomorrow by booking a place in the quarter-finals at the expense of Division One side St Patrick.
This match pits Sliema coach Stephen Azzopardi against his former assistant Alfred Attard who took charge of St Patrick in the summer after quitting his post with the Wanderers.
Programme
Today: Centenary Stadium - 6 p.m. Naxxar Lions vs Lija Athletic; 8 p.m. Valletta vs Gozo.
Tomorrow: National Stadium - 2 p.m. Sliema vs St Patrick; 4 p.m. Hibernians vs Marsaxlokk.
Sunday: Tedesco Stadium - 9 a.m. Għargħur vs Mosta; 11 a.m. Mellieħa vs Ħamrun Spartans. Hibs Ground - 1.30 p.m. Floriana vs Melita; 3.30 p.m. Balzan Youths vs Tarxien Rainbows.