No quarter given and none asked for. This afternoon's quarter-final clash from the FA Trophy promises to be another tense affair between neighbouring rivals Valletta and Floriana (kick-off 5 p.m.).
Valletta may have secured their Premier League status with three games to spare but that is scant consolation for a club which, at this particular juncture of the season, normally grabs the headlines for its role in the race for the honours. Things have gone pear-shaped for them this season, though.
Their presence in the Relegation Pool coupled with Floriana's odd-defying achievement in landing a top-six finish have given today's cup tie an extra edge.
The uncertainty swirling around the future of Floriana coach Ziya Yildiz after their 4-1 debacle to Pietà Hotspurs has also added spice to this derby.
Reports in local media were rife with speculation that the Bosnian may be ushered to the exit door before this match but Floriana have so far kept faith with Yildiz whose contract runs out at the end of the season.
With a semi-final berth up for grabs, both clans are looking at the FA Trophy as an opportunity to boost their hopes of European football next season. The prospect of making inroads at the expense of their fiercest antagonists makes today's clash all the more alluring.
"For me, this is a game like any other," Yildiz told The Times.
"Expectations are higher because we are facing Valletta in a KO competition but our preparation has been the same as for other commitments."
Malta U-21 striker Nicolò Baldacchino is sidelined with an injury but otherwise, Yildiz has a full squad to choose from.
Fully aware of the persistent rumours about his position at Floriana, Yildiz said: "I have always maintained that Floriana are strong enough to be fifth or sixth but we haven't reached that level where we can challenge for a higher position.
"It could be that other people at the club have that ambition but I'm a realistic person. We don't have a large squad and our young players have yet to fulfil their potential.
"One has to bear in mind that Floriana have offloaded between 14 to 15 players since I became coach of the team but brought in few reinforcements. Perhaps, in other countries, clubs with modest resources can win some honours but here it's very difficult to do that unless you have a strong squad."
Faced with the question whether all this talk about his future may have distracted him and the players during their build-up for arguably their most important date of the season, Yildiz said: "I am under no pressure. My contract is due to finish at the end of the season i.e. in a few weeks' time.
"On Thursday, the players and I had a meeting with the president who declared that my contract is till the end of May."
Although Valletta have endured a disappointing season by their own standards, Yildiz is under no illusion as to the difficulty of the task awaiting his team.
"Valletta may not be in the top six but they are always dangerous opponents," Yildiz maintained.
"They have this winning culture woven in their fabric. The moment they knew their Relegation Pool fate, they signed new players to bolster their squad.
"There is big pressure on both sides ahead of this encounter. Valletta want to win the Trophy to save their season but we also have our own ambitions. It's a do-or-die game and we want to be the ones who finish on the winning side."
Valletta's 3-0 success over Hamrun Spartans last week not only confirmed their presence in the top flight for another season, it ensured a positive build-up for this afternoon's match.
Atanas Marinov, the Valletta coach, is expected to return to Malta this afternoon in time for the game.
The City coach had to fly back to Bulgaria to attend the funeral of his father who passed away on Thursday. In his absence, the team's preparations were overseen by assistant Jesmond Zerafa.
Gilbert Agius, the City skipper, and Daniel Theuma are the biggest injury doubts due to hamstring trouble but Zerafa would not be drawn into rating their chances of regaining their fitness in time.
"I can only say that we have some players who are still not 100 per cent," Zerafa said.
"The atmosphere is very good at present. This is the most important game of our season, a not-to-be-missed opportunity to make amends for our setback in the league.
"Floriana vs Valletta is a classic of Maltese football and I'm sure that every City fan is looking forward to come to the stadium."
Zerafa said his team have been gearing up for their quarter-final for several weeks.
"The FA Trophy is our no.1 target now. We have been preparing for this game for a long time.
"As teams in the Relegation Pool normally play once in 15 days, we took part in a series of friendlies to keep our match sharpness. I'm convinced that our team will clear this hurdle and make a significant step towards winning the Trophy to secure European football next season."
Previous results - (Premier League) Floriana vs Valletta 1-1, 1-2.
This weekend's other matches
Msida St Joseph vs Sliema Wanderers (today at 3 p.m., National Stadium).
Sliema Wanderers take on relegation strugglers Msida St Joseph in the first of the four FA Trophy quarter-finals.
Although the Blues are regarded as favourites to book their place in the semis at the expense of a team who are eight places below them in the league standings, a complacent approach can prove destructive in KO clashes.
Edward Aquilina, the Sliema coach, has three key players missing with injuries, namely Noel Turner, Kris Laferla and Ian Ciantar, the latter out for the rest of the season with knee damage.
Msida St Joseph's negative results of late do not evoke much optimism but their 4-1 defeat of Sliema in the first round of the league should give them some courage. Coach Donald Attard has a full squad at his disposal.
Previous results - (Premier League) Msida vs Sliema 4-1, 0-1.
Mosta vs Birkirkara (tomorrow at 3 p.m., National Stadium).
FA Trophy holders Birkirkara must contend with Mosta, the only Division One team still involved in the competition.
The Stripes should not find much difficulty to reach the last four even if they have a long casualty list.
Michael Galea, Roderick Briffa, Lucian Dronca and Roderick Sammut will miss this match because of injuries.
Haruna Doda, slapped with a two-match ban by the MFA Disciplinary Commissioner this week following his red card for violent conduct in the 2-2 draw against Sliema, is also ranked doubtful due to ankle problems.
Precious Monye also received a one-match suspension in midweek but is available to play tomorrow as the ban applies for the league. Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza and George Mallia are also struggling to be fit in time for the match.
Mosta, placed fourth in Division One, have their own injury problems as player-coach Paul Zammit must cope without Duncan Cuschieri, Dyson Falzon, Jura Da Silva and Mario Abela.
Marsaxlokk vs Hibernians (tomorrow at 5 p.m., National Stadium).
Nine days after Marsaxlokk's 3-0 victory over Hibernians sent shockwaves through the Premier League, these two sides resume hostilities in the FA Trophy.
Revenge is likely to feature high on Hibs' agenda as they look to advance in this competition and raise their spirits before the start of the final round of matches in the league.
The FA Trophy is also a chief target for Marsaxlokk who are eager to underline their intentions to jolt the traditional order of local football by collecting their first major honour.
Robert Gatt has question marks over the fitness of Ndubisi Chukunyere but striker Adrian Mifsud has recovered from a chest injury and should make the squad.
Marsaxlokk coach Robert Kelly has a selection headache ahead of this match as Etienne Barbara, Nikolai Slavtchev and Charlò Magro are back in contention for a first-team place after missing the 3-0 defeat of Hibernians because of suspension.
Previous results - (Premier League) Hibs vs Marsaxlokk 3-2, 1-1, 0-3.