Eight teams chase final four quarter-final spots

Eight teams will be chasing the remaining FA Trophy quarter-final spots as the last four fourth round matches will be played on Sunday at the National Stadium and the Centenary Stadium.

In the first match at the National Stadium, kick-off at 14:00, Balzan take on Gozitan side Xewkija Tigers. Balzan are currently fifth in the BOV Premier League and are unbeaten in six matches. Xewkija, on the other hand, are currently third in the BOV Gozo Football League First Division and are coming from a good run of six positive results. In the previous rounds of the FA Trophy, Xewkija beat Ghajnsielem 2-0, Mqabba 6-1 and Gudja United 2-1 after extra time. Balzan, on the other hand, defeated Qrendi 5-1.

The second match at the National Stadium, kick-off at 16:00, puts Birkirkara against Ħamrun Spartans in a clash between two Premier League clubs. The Stripes are currently fourth on 28 points, one ahead of the Spartans. Birkirkara won four out of the last five matches while Ħamrun are coming from an unbeaten run of eighth matches. In the BOV Premier League first round, the Spartans registered a 2-1 win. On the other hand, in the third round of the FA Trophy, Birkirkara beat Nadur 4-0 while Ħamrun registered a narrow win over Floriana.

Meanwhile in the first match at the Centenary Stadium, kick-off at 14:00, Gżira United face Second Division side Melita. The Maroons, who reached this stage after beating Rabat Ajax 4-0, are currently third in the BOV Premier League one point behind the leaders. They are still unbeaten but were held in five draws out of the last seven matches. Melita, on the other hand, are currently second in the BOV Second Division. In the FA Trophy, they eliminated Swieqi United and Siġġiewi, beating them 1-0 and 3-1 respectively.

In the second match, kick-off at 16:15, First Division side Lija Athletic take on Valletta. Lija, who eliminated St. George’s and Mellieha, defeating them 4-0 and 5-0 respectively, lie in fourth place in the BOV First Division. On the other hand, Valletta share the top spot in the BOV Premier League with Hibernians. In the FA Trophy third round, they defeated Marsa 3-0.

The draws for the quarter-finals of the FA Trophy, which will be played on February 23 and 24, will be held on Tuesday.