Drogheda United v Kilkenny City (7.45) The home side have been doing better of late and will be hoping to gain a first victory against City who have slumped into a particularly miserable series of results over the past few weeks. Martin Lawlor has a full squad to call on and Gareth Byrne may be called into the team for the first time after Eddie Van Boxtel's slip-up at the end of last week's match with Dundalk.

"It'll be a very different game to that one and we'll look at the team and tactics but I don't think I'll really make up my mind until shortly beforehand," says Lawlor who adds that he is "looking forward to continuing the good run of performances."

Last season: Drogheda 1 Kilkenny 1, Kilkenny 2 Drogheda 1, Drogheda 1 Kilkenny 0.

Recent league form: Drogheda: LLDLD, Kilkenny: LLLLL.

Leading scorers: Drogheda: N Reid (2): Kilkenny: Hale (3).

Betting: Home: 1/3, draw: 3/1, away: 8/1.

Referee: P Whelan (Dublin).

Shelbourne v Shamrock Rovers (7.45) Both of these sides are coming off defeat in Dublin derbies last week and both will be keen to get back on track straight away by winning what should, certainly on last season's form, be a fine open game.

"They were all good all right," says Shelbourne manager Damien Richardson, "although perhaps the third game went a little too far, but I can't see this one being all that different to be honest."

Richardson's side have been erratic so far with the their away form particularly disappointing and they will be without Declan Geoghegan again for this one due to the full-back's broken bone in his foot. Pat Scully and Dessie baker are both doubtful with bouts of 'flu.

Rovers, on the other hand, are finally in a position to call Sean Francis into the reckoning and, having recovered from a groin injury, he may well play a part through the closing stages. Paul Whelan, though, will undergo a late fitness test on a similar, if less serious, problem.

Last season: Shamrock Rovers 0 Shelbourne 2, Shelbourne 2 Shamrock Rovers 0, Shamrock Rovers 6 Shelbourne 4.

Recent league form: Shelbourne: LWLWL, Rovers: LWWWL.

Leading scorers: Shelbourne: S Geoghegan and Scully (5 each); Rovers: Cousins (8).

Betting: 6/5 home: 2/1 draw: 9/4 away. Referee: A O'Regan (Cork).

FIRST DIVISION BRAY WANDERERS will be hoping to extend their lead in the promotion race by beating Athlone for a second week in succession. Bo McKeever has an ankle injury while Maurice Farrell is hoping to shake off 'flu.

The club's links with Newcastle were also of benefit this week with Phillip Keogh and Graham O'Hanlon both coming into the game after a week of training with Kenny Dalglish's men on Tyneside.

Betting courtesy of Paddy Power.