Four teams eyeing place in last eight

Three Premier League teams and a slumbering giant of Maltese football will vie to reach the quarter-finals of the FA Trophy as the second round of the KO gets underway with two matches at the Hibs Ground this morning.

The pick of the programme is undoubtedly the clash between Premier League sides Valletta and Pietà Hotspurs at 11 a.m.

J.J. Aquilina, the City coach, cannot field the same formation that hit Msida for five in their last league outing after striker Nemanja Vucasinovic opted to return to Serbia & Montenegro.

Last season, Valletta knocked out Floriana in the quarter-finals but an extra-time goal from then Marsaxlokk's striker Daniel Bogdanovic ended their hopes of reaching the final. Pietà's participation came to an end in the second round when they lost 3-1 to Marsaxlokk.

Floriana start as firm favourites to dismiss the threat of Hamrun Spartans in today's opening match at 9. The Spartans, down to fourth in Division One after a 1-1 draw with Senglea, are making their debut in this season's KO after they received a bye for the first round.

Last season, Hamrun exited the Trophy competition in the second round after losing 2-0 to Msida.