Sliema W. will be facing Litex Lovech in Bulgaria (kick-off 7.30pm) in a second leg qualifying round match.

With Litex leading 3-0 after the first leg match a fortnight ago in Malta, the Blues will be aiming for a good performance and perhaps a better result this evening.

Coach Ray Farrugia and his boys are well aware that they have a difficult task as Litex proved to be one of the strongest sides they must have faced in recent years.

Farrugia will again have to field a depleted side for various reasons. New signings Etienne Barbara and Serbian Nesko Milonotovic are ineligible while Roderick Bajada is still being treated for an injury. Meanwhile, even goalie Murphy Akanji and striker Alexsander Madzar were unable to join the squad in Bulgaria as they have had requests for a visa refused.

This evening at home, Litex are expected to be even stronger and, backed by their own fans, they could also be seeking a high score win to give them the required confidence for the season ahead.

Litex, however, will have to bounce back from defeat. In fact, last week, they lost 2-1 against champions Levski Sofia in the Bulgarian Super Cup match.