This season’s Friends Provident International FA Cup bursts into life on Saturday afternoon with 10 preliminary round ties.

Pick of these games is undoubtedly the third Old Firm encounter of the season at Douglas Road between Peel and Rushen United.

The pair’s two league meetings have resulted in a win apiece, Peel claiming the latest bragging rights when the duo met in late November.

Rushen United have bolstered their ranks in the last couple of weeks, former Isle of Man FA goalkeeper Grant Dawson re-signing for the Croit Lowey outfit.

Peel sit top of the Canada Life Premier League’s current form table and this may just give them the edge in this one.

FA Cup holders St George’s take on Division Two side Onchan in a fixture they won 9-0 in April 2016.

This match, which will be played at Colby’s Station Fields ground, has extra significance with the Onchan planning a special tribute to Heidi Ringham who sadly died just before Christmas.

Heidi was a great supporter of both clubs - her brothers Julian, Tristan and Justin having played for one or the other.

In Heidi’s memory, Onchan will wear red shirts with her name on the front, kindly donated by Cu-Plas Callow, as an acknowledgement of her favourite Premier League team Liverpool.

Onchan AFC chairman James Duddy added: ’We are delighted as a club to have this opportunity to dedicate this match to Heidi’s memory and hope that her friends who were unable to attend her funeral because of snow on that day will join us for a minute’s applause.

’A collection for Crossroads Care will be made on the day.’

Foxdale will be eyeing up a cupset when they host top-flight Braddan at Billy Goat Park. The Swans’ recent form has been poor and promotion-chasing Dale will be keen to lay down a marker in this one.

Second-tier Marown will also be trying to knockout top-flight opposition when they welcome St Mary’s to Crosby.

The Saints received a timely boost at the weekend with a good win over St John’s and should just have enough to edge past Dave Brew’s hosts.

The all-Premier League clash between Douglas Athletic and DHSOB will be a close affair, Old Boys edging the league match-up between the pair 1-2 only a couple of weeks ago.