Premier League clubs Floriana and Msida SJ will be looking forward to joining Valletta, Hamrun S., Pieta H. and Mqabba in the second round of the competition as they face first division opponents in tomorrow’s programme.

The weekend matches, however, start today with two all first division matches. The full programme of four matches between today and tomorrow will be played at the Centenary Stadium.

In today’s programme, Marsa face Dingli in the opening match and that will be quickly followed by the Qormi-Tarxien clash.

Tomorrow, in the first match, Msida will be facing Senglea Athletic, while in the match that follows, Floriana will be facing Mellieha.

It is a good opportunity for both Msida and Floriana not only to move through to the next round, but also for the teams to get back in trim in preparation for the Premier League when it resumes in two weeks’ time after a long five-week break.

Msida St Joseph might be given a serious test by Senglea as the Saints have been struggling in the top division, but they should still have much more experience and resources to beat the first division side and make progress.

Floriana will certainly be labelled as great favourites to overcome this obstacle.

Not only because of the differenc e in gap between the Premier League and the first division, but also because of the fact that they are passing through a very bright patch, having led the Premier League so far since it started.

The Greens, under Serbian coach Danilo Doncic, the former Valletta and Sliema star striker, have made tremendous progress and they could now be expected to make light work of their clash with the first division newcomers Mellieha.