Old rivals Ħamrun Spartans and Valletta will be battling for a spot in the semi-finals of the Meridianbet FA Trophy as the quarter-final ties will be played between Tuesday and Wednesday.
The clash between fierce rivals Ħamrun and Valletta is likely to attract much of the interest, but the three other ties are also set to provide some drama as the cup competition is moving into its decisive stage.
This will be the second time that Ħamrun Spartans and Valletta will meet in the quarter-final stage of a cup competition this season, as late last year, the two rivals faced off in the quarter-finals of the Jubilee Cup, and it was the Citizens who came out on top 2-0.
That win propelled the Citizens to go on and win the unique Jubilee Cup, but this time around, Ħamrun Spartans will be hellbent to take some revenge and stay on course to win a league and cup double for the first time since Joseph Portelli took over the club.
Both teams come into the back on the back of a difficult outing in the league last weekend, while Valletta were pegged back at the death by Hibernians, Ħamrun Spartans needed a stoppage-time goal from Matthew Guillaumier to salvage a point against Floriana.
Both coaches, Giacomo Modica of Ħamrun Spartans, and Valletta’s Thane Micallef, could be tempted to shuffle the pack and try to bring fresh energy to their line-up as they will expect another hard-fought encounter.
The quarter-final action kicks off on Tuesday evening when Gżira United take on Mosta.
The Maroons will, on paper, start as clear favourites to progress into the semi-finals of the competition when the two sides clash at the Centenary Stadium.
Gżira United head into the match in the better psychological condition as Darren Abdilla’s side has shown remarkable promise in the Closing Round of the YoHealth Malta Premier and look well poised to reach the Top 6.
On the other hand, Mosta are struggling for results as they have only one point to show in the Closing Round and look set for a battle to preserve their top-flight status.
Despite their struggles, Mosta still are capable of making life difficult for Gżira and a win tonight could revitalise their season.
Wednesday’s action also sees a fascinating encounter as giant-killers Żabbar St Patrick take on Birkirkara.
Birkirkara have been working hard in recent weeks to try and turn the season around, and initially the arrival of coach Paul Zammit seemed to have done the trick, but in recent weeks they have struggled for results.
Tomorrow they are up against a Żabbar side who not only dumped out Premier League leaders Floriana in the previous round but since the arrival of coach Gilbert Agius they looked a transformed side.
Birkirkara have experienced at first hand Żabbar’s threat as the Stripes crashed to a 3-0 defeat against the Saints a couple of weeks ago and must be at their best to reach the Cup semi-final.
The other tie will see Naxxar Lions start as clear favourites to progress when they face Challenge League side Żurrieq.
The Lions are in rude health and should prove too strong for Żurrieq, but in cup football anything can happen, and if Naxxar fail to play at their best they risk to fall to an ambitious Żurrieq side.
PROGRAMME
PLAYING ON TUESDAY
CENTENARY STADIUM
Gżira Utd vs Mosta 20.30
PLAYING WEDNESDAY
CENTENARY STADIUM
Birkirkara vs Żabbar SP 18.15
Żurrieq vs Naxxar L. 20.45
NATIONAL STADIUM
Valletta vs Ħamrun S. 19.00
