The U*Bet FA Trophy competition gets under way today and tomorrow with the first matches from the first round. In these first four matches the four Premier League sides pitted against teams from the First Division League, should make it to the second round. However some interesting clashed could be in the offing.

In today’s first match Marsaxlokk should find little difficulty in disposing of Lija Athletic. The ex-Premier side is finding the going hard and is still in search of their first victory in the league. On the other hand Marsaxlokk, showed great determination in their last outing against Hamrun Spartans and should start as hot favourites.

Technically Marsaxlokk are superior to their opponents, and Lija will have to produce a five star performance to spring a stunning surprise.

The second match in today’s programme should be the most interesting of the lot. Hamrun Spartans will face First division leaders St George’s. Both teams are passing through a very good patch, even though Hamrun’s position in the table does not reflect their potential shown so far. The Saints are the team to beat at the moment having won all their five matches in the league. They will surely be a hard nut to crack, and the Spartans will have to be on the alert to avoid an early setback in this competition.

In tomorrow’s matches Mosta and Floriana start as hot favourites to go through to the next round. Mosta are playing some very good football but are not collecting the desired reward. In their last outing against Msida, Paul Zammit’s side left much to be desired and will have to improve a lot against St Patrick.

The side from Zabbar is however passing through a very lean period, still in search of the first victory, and languishing dangerously in the lower part of the table.

In the last match in the programme, Floriana fresh from their first victory in the Premier, should find no difficulty in disposing of Tarxien. The Rainbows are an entertaining side, playing some good attacking football, however they have problems at the back, and the Greens’ attacking power should prevail.