Maltese football returns on the agenda this weekend when the Meridianbet FA Trophy takes centre stage with all Premier League sides making their first appearance in the cup competition between Saturday and Sunday.
The top tie of the round is without doubt the all-Premier League tie between Floriana and Marsaxlokk that will be played at the Tony Bezzina Stadium this afternoon (kick-off: 4.15pm).
Floriana, who are currently enjoying a healthy four-point lead at the top of the Premier League, will be determined to have a strong run in the cup competition as they look to make up for missing out on major domestic honours for the past three years.
The Greens will start as slight favourites to progress, given their excellent record against Marsaxlokk this season.
Floriana have managed to beat Marsaxlokk twice in the championship so far, recoring identical 2-1 victories, and will be hopeful of preserving their perfect record against the southerners in a bid to reach the Last 16.
The Greens will again be without midfielder Charles M’Mwomba, who is still at the Africa Cup of Nations after he helped Tanzania reach the knockout stages of the competition, while Carlo Zammit Lonardelli will be pushing for a start after returning from a long-term injury.
Marsaxlokk, on the other hand, have a score to settle with the Greens and will surely be determined to keep their Cup ambitions alive, particularly after poor results in recent weeks have seen them drift away from the battle to win the Opening Phase of the Malta Premier League.
Holders Hibernians are not expected to find any problems reaching the next round when they face Challenge League side Gudja United.
The Paolites have not had the best first part of the season after missing out on the Top Six of the Malta Premier League, and in the past few weeks, they have been working hard to lift the team’s level of performance.
Coach Branko Nisevic may be tempted to give some of his fringe players a chance to stake their claim for a first-team spot, but he will be focused on steering the Paolites past Gudja United, who are holding a mid-table position in the Maltese second-tier.
Last year’s finalists, Birkirkara, will be hopeful to find some joy in the cup competition when they take on Gozitan side SK Victoria Wanderers.
The Stripes are passing through a very poor spell in the Premier League, where they suffered five successive defeats and are bottom of the Top Six.
The Stripes are expected to be very busy in this month’s transfer window, which will officially open early next week, but until then, they need to turn up for today’s cup tie.
Coach Gianluca Festa will be desperate to see his players get a win that would not only keep them alive in the cup competition but, more importantly, inject some much-needed positivity in the camp after a very difficult few weeks.
Trophy frustration
League champions Ħamrun Spartans will start as firm favourites to progress when they face National Amateur League One Victoria Hotspurs at the Victor Tedesco Stadium.
The Spartans may have enjoyed a lot of success in the Premier League in the past five years, but will surely try and finally end their jinx in the FA Trophy, so victory this afternoon is a must.
Coach Giacomo Modica might have one eye on the crucial league clash against Floriana in midweek and could be tempted to give a run-out to a number of fringe players.
The Reds will surely be without Bosnian striker Semar Smajlagic and Croatian midfielder Ante Coric, who were both released by the club.
Valletta and Sliema Wanderers will also fancy their chances of progressing to the next round when they face Pembroke Athleta and Swieqi United, respectively.
Tarxien Rainbows might be facing a tricky tie when they host Gozitan side Għajnsielem, who are currently fighting to win the title on the Sister Island.
PLAYING ON SATURDAY
CENTENARY STADIUM
Pembroke vs Valletta 14.00
Hibernians vs Gudja 16.00
St Andrews vs Gżira Utd 19.00
TONY BEZZINA STADIUM
Birkirkara vs SK Victoria W 14.00
Floriana vs Marsaxlokk 16.15
TEDESCO STADIUM:
Ħamrun S. vs Victoria H. 14.00
Tarxien R. vs Għajnsielem 16.30
Sliema W. vs Swieqi 19.00
PLAYING ON SUNDAY
CENTENARY STADIUM
Pieta Hotspurs vs Mtarfa 11.00
Żabbar SP vs Xewkija 13.30
Balzan vs Birżebbuġa SP 16.00
GOZO STADIUM
Qala Saints vs Mġarr 14.00
TEDESCO STADIUM
Marsa vs Naxxar Lions 14.00
Mosta vs Mqabba 16.30
Fgura United vs Sta Lucia 19.00
