In most European countries, the top honours in football are won in May but July 2009 could go down as a very special month in the history of Valletta FC and the local game.

Their progress to the second qualifying round of the Europa League at the expense of Icelandic side Keflavik has been widely acclaimed as a significant achievement, by Maltese standards, but Valletta have now set their gazes on an even bigger feat... a berth in the third qualifying round of the competition.

A one-all draw away to Irish Premier League side St Patrick's last week has improved Valletta's prospects of setting up a showdown with Russian side PFC Krylya Sovetov Samara but they are still some way from reaching their objective.

This evening, the Centenary Stadium is expected to be transformed into a cauldron of colour and noise as Valletta take on St Patrick's in the second leg of their Europa League second qualifying round match.

Valletta's lively display in the second half of last week's clash at Richmond Park has heightened expectations among their passionate fans, so much so that tickets for today's match have sold out.

Although the mood in the city is justifiably upbeat, the Valletta coach and players know that they must tread with caution as St Patrick's are no easy opponents.

At 1-1, the tie is finely-poised. A goalless draw would see Valletta through but coach Ton Caanen is unlikely to set his team out to defend. A victory for Valletta would guarantee qualification but a draw of 2-2 or higher would send St Patrick's through.

"There is no denying that we obtained a positive result in the first leg but the tie is still open," Nicky Saliba, Valletta's team manager, told The Times.

"It's imperative that the players remain fully focused because the second leg will be another tough encounter. We are approaching the game as if the score was still 0-0. A goal for St Patrick's would leave us facing an uphill task but I'm confident that we can also score.

"Valletta certainly put on a good show in Dublin. St Patrick's match sharpness and the wet conditions of the pitch gave them an edge in the first half but we raised our game in the second.

"We have put ourselves in a good position to challenge for a place in the next round of the competition but there's certainly no room for complacency."

After their return to Malta from Dublin was delayed by one day, Valletta resumed training on Monday but their preparations have been slightly disrupted by coach Caanen missing Tuesday's session at the Centenary Stadium after falling sick.

Caanen is still recovering but he nonetheless took charge of training at the Melita Ground yesterday afternoon.

Doding Priso's suspension means that Caanen must make one alteration from the team he fielded in Dublin. The Cameroonian winger received a one-match ban after collecting his second booking last Thursday.

Ian Zammit and Justin Grioli are the two main contenders to fill the void left by Priso.

Dutch forward Geert den Ouden is expected to spearhead Valletta's attacking charge with Grioli or Zammit, and Falzon pushing up the flanks. In central midfield, Gilbert Agius, scorer of Valletta's equaliser in the away leg, will again play in tandem with Jamie Pace but there are doubts about Jordi Cruyff's position.

Cruyff played in midfield in the two games against Keflavik, bar the last 15 to 20 minutes of the second leg when the Dutch player switched to a defensive role. Caanen elected to deploy Cruyff as libero in last week's match against St Patrick's to strengthen Valletta's defensive lines but it remains to be seen if the former Manchester United midfielder plays at the back this evening.

Although St Patrick's need to score to boost their qualification hopes, Saliba doesn't anticipate a flat-out approach from the Dubliners.

"I don't think St Patrick's will go all out to attack," Saliba said, "but make no mistake, they will try to force the tempo. This match has been described as the most important of their season as St Patrick's need a boost to make up for their disappointing run in the league."

St Patrick's, who landed in Malta on Tuesday, trained at the Centenary Stadium yesterday evening.

Coach Jeff Kenna is confident that St Patrick's can get a good result in Malta and qualify for the next round.

"It's still all to play for," Kenna said in the aftermath of last week's 1-1 draw.

"We'll prepare well, we'll work hard and I have every confidence that we can go over there (Malta) and get a result."

Valletta's team (probable): A. Hogg, R. Briffa, L. Dimech, K. Scicluna, S. Bezzina, J. Pace, J. Cruyff, G. Agius, I. Zammit/J. Grioli, D. Falzon, G. Den Ouden.

Referee: Matej Jug (Slovenia).

Kick-off: 5.30 p.m. (match will be shown live on Melita Sports).

For more coverage on the Valletta-St Patrick's game, visit www.timesofmalta.com.