Holders Valletta to meet first division Marsa
Qormi-Hibs, Senglea-Mosta, Floriana-Hamrun and Sliema-St Andrews are all-Premier clashes
Eight Premier League clubs will go head to head in the third round of the 2018-29 FA Trophy being played this weekend.Valletta FC, the current champions and FA Trophy holders, will start their cup defence against First Division side Marsa on Sunday. Floriana were handed a tough draw as they face Ħamrun Spartans in one the four all-Premier League encounters.
The others are Hibernians-Qormi, Sliema Wanderers-St Andrews and Senglea Athletic-Mosta. The Hibernians-Qormi clash will see both teams facing each other once again. Last week, they clashed in a Premier League clash which the Paolites won 2-1 to go top of the table alongside Gzira United. Birkirkara, losing finalists last season, have been drawn against Gozitan side Nadur Youngsters - this match will be played at the Gozo stadium on Sunday.
Mdina Knights, the only Third Division team to reach the third round of the FA Trophy, will meet Premier League side Pietà Hotspurs.
The top six teams in the last season's BOV Premier League - Valletta, Balzan, Gżira United, Birkirkara, Floriana and Hibernians - were seeded for the third round.
Current Premier League leaders Gżira United (jointly with Hibernians), will face Second Division side Rabat Ajax tomorrow.
It is also well to note that these 3rd round clashes will produce some keenly contested ties as the fourth round promises to be also very interesting, in the knowledge that all winners will know their opponents in the 4th round by this weekend.
The winner of the Valletta-Marsa tie will meet either Mellieħa or Lija in the fourth round while the winner of the Floriana-Ħamrun Spartans encounter will set up a fourth-round clash with Birkirkara or Nadur Youngsters.
Whatever the third-round results, the fourth round will surely feature an all-Premier League as the winner of the Senglea-Mosta will come up against either Sliema or St Andrews.
The 4th round is to be played on 26-27 January, 2019.