It's very much a case of the devil they don't know for Bohemians, or so Skerries Town manager Alan Sweeney hopes in the giant versus the dwarf FAI Cup third round clash at Dalymount Park tonight.
The Leinster Senior League Division One side, which caused the shock of the second round with a 1-0 win over Monaghan United, will bring up to 1,000 fans to Phibsborough on what is the biggest day out in the club's 14-year history.
"We did play their under-21 side about seven weeks ago when they beat us 2-1, but my team has changed significantly since then," said Sweeney, who is also the team's goalkeeper.
"They will know little or nothing about us as they won't have seen us play. I watched them in Drogheda last week when they confirmed my suspicions that they are a very good side."
Sweeney will give late fitness tests to full backs Keith Hickey and Niall Bolger and central defender Ben Gahan, but is hopeful he will be able to choose from a full squad.
Bohemians are unlikely to have that luxury as Stephen Caffrey and Colin Hawkins (Achilles strains), Bobby Ryan (knee) and Thomas Heary (foot) are all injured.
"It's unlikely all four will be fit," admitted Bohs boss Stephen Kenny. "We'll take the game very seriously and will play the strongest team available, as anything can happen."
A possible shock at Richmond Park is lessened by the fact that erstwhile first division leaders Dublin City are missing six first-team regulars against St Patrick's Athletic.
Goalkeeper Robbie Horgan and Robbie Dunne are suspended, Robbie Clarke isn't eligible as he's on loan from St Patrick's, Terry Gleeson and Robbie Farrell are out with ankle injuries while new signing Cathal O'Connor is not eligible to play as he wasn't signed within the last fortnight.
"It's far from ideal going into such a big game with so many players not available," said Dublin City manager John Gill.
"The roles are reversed for us from the last round when we played non-league Portmarnock. They had nothing to lose then and we now face that scenario playing a Premier Division side."
St Patrick's have problems of their own, with Davy Byrne and Charles Mbabazi having suffered ankle and knee injuries respectively in last weekend's Dublin tournament, while Paul Osam (knee) and Barry Prenderville (ankle) are also unlikely to be fit.
First division Bray Wanderers are without the suspended Maurice Farrell for the potential shock of the round against Waterford United at Carlisle Grounds.
Midfielder Eddie Gormley, recovered from a back strain, is in contention to start, but central defender Jody Lynch requires a late fitness test on an ankle injury.
Waterford captain John Frost expects the all clear from a specialist to allow him to play following a punctured lung that has sidelined him for three weeks.
Top-scorer Vinny Sullivan and Paul Leahy should also return to the squad having missed last week's 1-0 defeat at Longford Town due to 'flu.
Drogheda United have Steven Gray and Shaun Gallagher back from long injury lay-offs for the all-Premier Division clash with fellow strugglers UCD at 02 Park.
Club captain Tony McDonnell may return for UCD, having been out for five weeks with a hamstring strain. Also fit again is regular right back Patrick Sullivan, who missed the defeat at St Patrick's last week due to illness.
Meanwhile, Cork City and Shamrock Rovers avail of their early cup exits to meet in a rearranged league clash at Turner's Cross.
Cork, who will go back into second if they win, are without the suspended Conor O'Grady, but have Alan Carey and Greg O'Halloran back from injury. Manager Pat Dolan may give a debut to the prodigal Derek Coughlan.
Richie Byrne, Trevor Molloy and Alan Reynolds expect to return to the Rovers squad having missed the draw at Derry last week as Rovers seek their first win in eight games.
TONIGHT'S FIXTURES
(7.45 unless stated)
FAI Cup - Third round: Bohemians v Skerries Town; Bray Wanderers v Waterford Utd; Drogheda Utd v UCD (8.0); St Patrick's v Dublin City. National League - Premier Division: Cork City v Shamrock Rovers.
