St Stephen's Day

Finn Harps V Sligo Rovers - (Finn Park, 5.00)

With six of the last 10 of these north-west derbies having ended in draws, Finn Harps' manager Charlie McGeever's assertion that this is a game his side simply must win, can only add to the pressure on his players.

Having looked a side well capable of living with the runaway leaders a few weeks back, Finn Harps's 30 defeat to UCD at Belfield a fortnight ago clearly sapped morale.

However, they recovered well and showed plenty of character at Richmond Park last week to earn a 2-2 draw, even though well outplayed at times by St Patrick's Athletic.

Sligo's form has been hugely disappointing and team spirit can't be high, though manager, Nicky Reid, insists he doesn't feel under any pressure.

Tom Mohan is back for Harps having missed the St Patrick's match due to flu.

Last two seasons: 1997/98: Sligo Rovers 2 Finn Harps 2, Finn Harps 1 Sligo Rovers 1, Sligo Rovers 0 Finn Harps 2. 1998/99: Sligo Rovers 1 Finn Harps 1.

Current league form: Finn Harps: WWWLD; Sligo Rovers: LWLDL.

Leading scorers: Finn Harps: Mulligan (eight); Sligo Rovers: Hallows (seven).

Betting: Home: 4/6, Draw: 12/5, Away: 100/30.

Referee: G Perry (Dublin).

Shelbourne V Derry City - (Tolka Park, 3.15)

"Both were the type of games we would have lost a few months ago," said Shelbourne manager Dermot Keely after his side had achieved only their second back to back wins of the season in beating Sligo 3-1 at the Show-grounds last Saturday night.

Keely is forced to give a debut to 19-year-old goalkeeper, Danny O'Leary, as Alan Gough serves out a one-match suspension for his sending off against UCD last month.

Derry City's right-back Eddie McCallion is out for three to four weeks with a hamstring injury while Gary Beckett is also struggling with the same complaint.

If Beckett fails a fitness test, Stuart Gauld will move up into midfield with Darren Kelly slotting in at right-back.

Last two season: 1997/98: Derry City 2 Shelbourne 2, Shelbourne 1 Derry City 0, Derry City 1 Shelbourne 2. 1998/99: Derry City 0 Shelbourne 1.

Current league form: Shelbourne: LDLWW; Derry City: LDWDL.

Leading scorers: Shelbourne: Sheridan (six), Derry City: L. Coyle (six).

Betting: Home: 4/5, Draw: 9/4, Away: 3-1.

Referee: R O'Hanlon (Waterford).

Sunday

Bohemians V Shamrock Rovers - (Dalymount Park, 3.15)

Both sides must reshuffle at the back due to suspensions. Bohemains are without Shaun Maher while Rovers skipper Paul Whelan also starts a three-match ban.

Bohemians manager Roddy Collins is considering giving league debuts to recent signings Ray Kelly and Paul Byrne.

Rovers will drop Terry Palmer back into central defence from his surprising success in midfield in recent games with Richie Purdy, fit again after a broken collarbone, and Mark O'Neill, fully recovered from a twisted knee, in contention to resume in midfield, with Purdy the likely candidate.

Last two seasons: 1997/98: Bohemians 1 Shamrock Rovers 1, Shamrock Rovers 2 Bohemians 1, Bohemians 0 Shamrock Rovers 1. 1998/99: Shamrock Rovers 3 Bohemians 0.

Current league form: Bohemians: LLDDW; Shamrock Rovers: WWWDD.

Leading scorers: Bohemians: Swan (five); Shamrock Rovers: Kenny and Sherlock (five each).

Betting: Home: 11.8, Draw: 11/5, Away: 13/8.

Referee: A O'Regan (Cork).

Dundalk V Bray Wanderers - (Oriel Park, 3.15)

Dundalk can give themselves a further boost with the strong possibility of attacking midfielder Brian Byrne making a starting return after a four-month layoff with a cruciate ligament injury.

Padraig Gallogley is set to retain his place in central defence after a superb display at the Brandywell when he played in place of Kevin Brady who had flu.

Bray, who've fallen from third to bottom in eight weeks, can't believe their slump in form which has seen them lose nine matches in succession. They are still without Jason Byrne (ankle), though Maurice Farrell's calf injury isn't as bad as first thought.

Last two seasons: 1997/98: Did not meet; 1998/99: Bray Wanderers 0 Dundalk 0.

Current league form: Dundalk: LWDDW; Bray Wanderers: LLLLL.

Leading scorers: Dundalk: Withnell (four); Bray Wanderers: Byrne (five).

Betting: Home: 4/6, Draw: 12/5, Away: 100/30 Referee: P Whelan (Dublin).

UCD v St Patrick's Ath - (Belfield, 3.15)

Perhaps the pick of the Christmas weekend matches with UCD eagerly awaiting to add to last week's scalp of leaders Cork City.

UCD's excellent performance and win at Turner's Cross was at a cost, however, with hard-running midfielder, Ciaran Kavanagh, out with a combination of ankle and knee injuries.

St Patrick's have Stephen McGuinness back from his one-match suspension and he should come back into central defence in place of Mick Moody.

Last two seasons: 1997/98: St Patrick's Athletic 1 UCD 1, UCD 1 St Patrick's Athletic 1, St Patrick's Athletic 1 UCD 0. 1998/99: St Patrick's Athletic 1 UCD 0.

Current league form: UCD: DDWWW; St Patrick's Athletic: WLWDD.

Leading scorers: UCD: O'Byrne (four); St Patrick's Athletic: Gilzean and Molloy (10 each).

Betting: Home: 3/1, Draw: 9/4, Away: 4/5.

Referee: J Feighery (Dublin).

Waterford Utd V Cork City - (Regional Sports Centre, 2.30)

"Nothing but hard work is going to get us out of this rut. This is the time of the season when we have to stand up and be counted."

Not the words of beleaguered Waterford United manager, Mike Flanagan, but, surprisingly, those of Dave Barry, boss of league leaders Cork City.

Barry may take little solace from the fact that even City's jittery form is significantly better than Waterford's at the moment as he tries to stem the tide of their first sticky patch (no win in five games) this season.

Jason Kabia's loan transfer from Cork has been made permanent with Waterford signing him for a small fee which means he can play against his former club on Sunday.

Last two seasons: 1997/98: Did not meet; 1998/99: Cork City 5 Waterford United 0.

Current league form: Waterford United: DDLLD; Cork City: WDDDL.

Leading scorers: Waterford United: Dully, Harkin and Wood (two each); Cork City: Cahill (six).

Betting: Home: 3/1, Draw: 9/4, Away: 4/5.

Referee: J Stacey (Athlone).

First Division

Limerick FC can gauge their promotion aspirations when they entertain fellow hopefuls Galway United and then meet current leaders Drogheda in the next week.

Both fancied as contenders pre-season, Limerick and Galway are enjoying revitalised form with Limerick unbeaten in four and Galway having won their last two.

Their meeting at Hogan Park, Rathbane on Sunday should thus live up to the match of the weekend in the division.

With Paul Carr fit, Limerick are at full strength aside from long-term injuries to Derek O'Neill and Sean Byrne.

Elsewhere, one-time leaders Longford Town will try to stem the flow of three successive defeats at Monaghan United who lifted themselves out of the re-election zone with a welcome win in Kilkenny last week.

Kilkenny City welcome back their top-scorer Trevor Vaughan following a three match suspension for their visit to St. Francis.

Betting courtesy of Paddy Power.