Valletta and Hibernians will be all out to claim a place in the final of the U*BET FA Trophy as the two teams cross swords in the second semi-final which will be played on Saturday, kick-off at 18:00.

After winning two consecutive championships, the Citizens finished a disappointing third and although they won the BOV Super Cup earlier this season, winning the second major honour is a must.

Valletta, winners of the FA Trophy twelve times, seek the twenty-sixth final in the history of the club. Last season, they only made it to the semi-finals where they were eliminated by Qormi.

The Citizens reached the semi-finals after beating Hamrun Spartans 3-1 in the third round, Gozitan champions Nadur Youngsters 2-0 in the fourth round and Rabat jax 3-0 in the quarter-finals.

Meanwhile, after losing the BOV Premier League Championship Decider to Birkirkara, U*BET FA Trophy holders Hibernians hope to end the season on a positive note with a back-to-back win in the competition after defeating Qormi in last year’s final.

The Paolites reached this stage after defeating Mosta 2-1, First Division side Gudja United 4-0 and Second Division champions Zebbug Rangers 3-0.

The two teams met six times this season. In the Euro Cup, Hibernians registered a 1-0 win but Valletta hit back, defeating Hibs 3-1 in the BOV Super Cup, 1-0 and 4-1 in the first two rounds of the BOV Premier League. However in the Championship Pool, the Paolites defeated Valletta 4-2 and 2-1.

The winner of the semi-final will face Qormi in next Wednesday’s final.