Cork City v Shamrock Rovers (1.30)

On the face of it Rovers look likely to be made pay for allowing their lead to slip away on Sunday in Santry but Damien Richardson reckons the progress that his side have made in recent months may just culminate in an upset this afternoon.

They will have to do without Marc Kenny, Richie Purdy (both suspended) and Derek Tracey, though, while Tony Cousins continues to recover from his knee operation but is still felt to be a couple of weeks off having a full 90 minutes in him.

"The fact we're missing players makes a difficult task even harder to achieve but when you look at how comfortably they beat us early in the season compared with how close the last two games have been, I think you can see that we're closing the gap. Now we have to take the next step and win down there, it's been too long since we managed it."

Dave Barry, meanwhile, is still without several long-term absentees and he feels that Anthony Buckley's ankle injury will probably keep him out again this afternoon. Having come through Sunday's game without any problems, however, Pat Morley (hamstring) and Mark Herrick should both be available again today.

Betting: Home: 8/11, Draw: 9/4, Away 100/30.

Referee: G Perry (Dublin).

Bray Wanderers v Derry City (7.30) subject to pitch inspection this morning.

The holders went close to pulling off a fine win at the Brandywell on Saturday but having conceded a late equaliser they now face a tricky enough task in this evening's replay.

When the two sides last met in the cup Bray won 2-1 but that was in the semi-finals in 1990. In all competitions, though, Wanderers have had precious few home wins over City down the years.

Matters aren't helped this time by the fact that Barry O'Connor and Maurice Farrell have joined what is already a lengthy injury list. "We've got a good few out and that's a concern," says manager Pat Devlin, "but we just have to get on with it, that's why we have a reserve team."

Jason Byrne is likely to miss out again, as is Bo McKeever who has work commitments but the showing of Jason Dutton on Saturday, when he scored, will be some consolation and he is likely to be in from the start again.

City, meanwhile, are getting back towards full strength after the bout of flu that swept through the camp over the holiday period. Gary Beckett isn't quite recovered and is doubtful while Michael McHugh misses out with an ankle problem but otherwise the visitors will travel with a strong squad.

Betting: Home: 6/4, Draw: 11/5, Away 6/4.

Referee: P McKeon (Dublin).

Dundalk v Kilkenny City (7.30)

Terry Eviston reckons that his side, after a very good start in Buckley Park at the weekend, were lucky to escape with a draw, but there will be a reasonable amount of confidence within the camp that they can finish the job at Oriel Park this evening.

Tom McNulty is expected to sign for Bohemians this morning but Padraig Staunton, who missed the first match with flu may be fit to play while Paul Campbell, who played despite being ill on Saturday, is expected to be fully recovered.

Kilkenny's plight, on the other hand is worse than at the weekend with Howie King (ankle) and Brian Jordan (groin), who both limped out of the drawn game, expected to be added to Pat Byrne's injury list.

Given the extent of the problems City will include teenager David Mulcahy, signed last summer from Evergreen, in their travelling party despite the fact that he is scheduled to have a groin operation on Friday.

Betting: Home: 4/5, Draw: 9/4, Away 11/4.

Referee: E barr (Dublin).

Betting courtesy of Paddy Power