The four Premier clubs – Hamrun, Marsaxlokk, Floriana and Msida St Joseph – should be able to reach the quarter-finals of the competition as they play their second round matches against first division opponents between today and tomorrow morning.

The luck was on their part in the draw as they all avoided each other, thus becoming hot favourites to join Birkirkara, Sliema, Hibernians and Valletta in the quarter-finals.

Today at Ta’ Qali, Hamrun will be facing St Patrick, while in the match that follows, Marsaxlokk come up against Marsa. Tomorrow morning, at the Hibs Ground, Msida face San Gwann before Floriana play against Senglea Athletic.

Despite being overwhelming favourites to advance, all the four clubs have to be on maximum alert if they wish to avoid any surprise.

For example, it is not the first time that St Patrick have given superior opposition a good run for their money and the Spartans will have to be at their best to make sure of their progress this afternoon.

Marsaxlokk seem to be the most likely to have no problems. Having finished fourth at the end of the first phase of the Bank of Valletta Premier League, they are considered to have much more guns to overcome Marsa.

Tomorrow, Msida, fresh from having reached their objective in the league – that of finishing among the top six for the first time in their history – should also go through against San Gwann.

And in the final match on the programme, Floriana, despite having to play in the Relegation Pool, should also have few problems to eliminate Senglea who have been very inconsistent so far in the first division.