Boost FA Trophy 4th round this weekend

● 16 teams ‘battle’ for place in Last Eight

The remaining 16 teams will be ‘battling’ for a place in the Last 8 this weekend when the fourth round is played between today and Sunday.

After the Premier League, the FA Trophy is the means which gives the winner a berth in next season’s Europa League.

There are 10 Premier clubs in the running, four hail from the First Division, and the remaining two clubs are from the sister island Gozo.

The programme starts today with the clash between Birkirkara and San Gwann which seems to be an easy match for the high-flying Stripes who have gone through a most positive run in the Premier League – a successive five wins.

Tomorrow, the Tarxien-Lija encounter promises to be a close affair between two teams also battling to avoid relegation.

Balzan might face a tough challenge from neighbouring Naxxar Lions, while Mosta should get the better of first division side Zejtun.

Also keen and balanced should be the all-Premier clash between Hamrun and Sliema – both are eyeing a berth in Europe next season either via the Trophy or through the League, but they are aware that this is the shortest way to get there.

Gozitans Kercem seem to have a good chance of making progress into the quarterfinals as they face First Division side Qrendi ‘at home’ tomorrow.

The other side, Xewkija Tigers, face none other than the champions in one of Sunday’s two matches at the National Stadium.

The other is the clash between Valletta and first division side Pieta Hotspurs.

Today’s Programme

Boost Malta FA Trophy 4th round

2pm Tarxien R.-Lija Ath. 4.15pm Balzan-Naxxar L. 7pm Birkirkara-San Gwann

2pm Mosta-Zejtun C. 4pm Hamrun S.-Sliema W.

3.30pm Kercem Ajax-Qrendi

2pm Hibernians-Xewkija T 4pm Pieta H.-Valletta

GFA Bank of Valletta Second Division

1pm Xaghra U.-Sannat L.