National League Premier Division: Having lost last weekend's cup semi-final to Cork in the most agonising of circumstances, Derry City will look to pick themselves up and renew their pursuit of the league title tonight at the Brandywell against Waterford United.
The visiting side's recent revival will be of some concern to Stephen Kenny's men but at the start of a week in which the championship could, technically speaking, be decided, the Northerners are aiming to return to winning ways and maintain the pressure on Cork, who take on St Patrick's Athletic.
"Everyone was disappointed after the loss, but it's good that we have three matches now in quick succession because nobody has much time to reflect on what happened in Cork," says Kenny.
"Waterford, Bray and UCD are all scrapping for points so the fact that they're in the bottom half of the table now doesn't make it any easier, but we're in good shape; we have Clive Delaney back from suspension and we've been going well at home for a while now so with a bit of luck we'll bounce straight back."
United, reorganised and reinvigorated since Dolan was enlisted to help Brendan Rea, arrive without John Hayes and so David Breen is likely to continue at left back with Niall Andrews starting on the right-hand side of the defence. Seán Finn, though, is still out and the relegation strugglers are likely to pose their biggest threat to the title contenders from set pieces around the area.
With John O'Flynn recovered from the groin strain that kept him out against Derry, Cork hope to have everyone available, too, for their home game with the Dubliners who are now without a win since July.
Damien Richardson is cautious about the opposition, predicting the threat of being dragged even further into the relegation dogfight will provide added motivation but, he says, "we firmly believe that on our day we can beat anybody in this league".
St Pat's manager John McDonnell recognises the difficulty his side faces in turning things around at a time when they are scoring all too rarely. "You might say I'm clutching at straws but I know from experience that when teams are closing in on the title like this they can get a bit nervous and so we'll go there hoping to capitalise on whatever opportunities we get. Obviously it'll be difficult and we're still missing (striker) Chris Armstrong."
With the title all but mathematically beyond them, Shelbourne take on Finn Harps in the hope that one of the two teams above them slips up and they can grab the Uefa Cup spot that goes with second place.
The Dubliners are without Colin Hawkins (suspended), as well as Steve Williams, Alan Reynolds, Richie Baker and Stuart Byrne, all of whom are injured while Harps, unsurprisingly, intend to field the same team that started the 5-0 win over Longford.
Elsewhere, Bray travel for the game against Shamrock Rovers with their skipper, Jody Lynch, still laid up with an ankle problem. One place above them in the table, UCD are missing Alan McNally (hamstring) and Alan Mahon (suspended) while Bohemians have player-manager Gareth Farrelly as well as Mark O'Brien suspended. Dessie Byrne remains on the injured list but John Paul Kelly, Kevin Hunt and Stephen Rice are all available again.
