Drogheda United v Derry City
United hope the arrival of former Dundalk striker Joe Gallen will boost their strike rate but whether it will be quite enough to halt the champions' winning run seems highly doubtful.
City led last week's match 3-1 by half time and, although they came under some late pressure, Felix Healy felt that "the match was dead to all intents and purposes by then anyway".
Gary Beckett may be back after missing a couple of games due to a hamstring problem but otherwise Healy will not tinker too much with a team that has now won three on the trot and started to move up the table.
Attempting to get away from the foot of the table is Martin Lawlor's priority but, while Gallen's arrival will provide a boost this evening, John Carroll and David Fairclough are still suspended and Rod de Khors is doubtful with a knee problem.
Last two season: 1996/97: Did not meet; 97/98: Derry 4 Drogheda 1.
Recent league form: Drogheda: DLDDL; Derry: LLWWW.
Leading scorers: Drogheda: N Reid (three); Derry: Hargan (five).
Betting: Home: 7/2, Draw: 5/2, Away: 4/6.
Referee: J Feighery (Dublin).
Finn Harps v Sligo Rovers
Finn Harps manager Charlie McGeever described his team's performance at the Showgrounds last week as their best of the season but the late Rovers goals meant that the points were shared and now, at home, he will be hoping for better.
Rovers will be without Nicky Reid, who picked up a groin strain at the weekend, while Neil Ogden is doubtful after missing the League Cup draw with Home Farm due to a calf strain. Reid is hoping to have a new centre half from Scotland in time for the game and that should mean Steve Birks moving into midfield. The Donegalmen are likely to be unchanged with McGeever looking for a repeat performance without the generosity at the back. "It's frustrating because we've been playing very well lately, but we slipped up briefly against Derry and then twice late-on last week. Now we're three points further back than we should be," says McGeever.
"Still, we've won four out five at home, so we'll be looking for a better result in this game."
Last two season: 1996/97: Harps 1 Sligo 1, Sligo 0 Harps 2, Harps 3 Sligo 4; 97/98: Sligo 2 Harps 2.
Recent league form: Harps: WWWLD; Sligo: LLLDD.
Leading scorers: Harps: Speak (six); Sligo: Jones, Rose and Moran (four each). Betting: Home: 4/5, Draw: 9/4, Away: 3/1.
Referee: G Perry (Dublin).
St Patrick's Athletic v Kilkenny City
A tough couple of weeks for strugglers Kilkenny who must try to halt their dismal run by picking up something against the league's form team.
Unbeaten in seven, the Dubliners are once again waiting on Paul Osam, who injured his groin in Saturday's win, while Paul Campbell is considered 50-50 with an ankle injury. Trevor Wood hasn't trained this week due to a pulled muscle but is expected to play.
The news is mixed for the visitors. They hope to have Brendan Rea back in the centre of their defence while John Power may be fit enough to start. John Cashin, however, is still sidelined, while Brian Arrigan and Richie Hale, who are carrying ankle and groin strains respectively, face late tests.
It's a daunting task for City, as the betting reflects, but perhaps there about due some sort of upset.
Last two seasons: 1996/97: Did not meet; 97/98: Kilkenny 0 St Patrick's Ath 2.
Recent league form: St Patrick's Ath: WDWWW; Kilkenny: LLLDL.
Leading scorers: St Patrick's Ath: Molloy and Gilzean (four each); Kilkenny: Hale (three).
Betting: Home: 1/6, Draw: 9/2, Away: 12/1.
Referee: B O'Regan (Cork).
Shelbourne v Dundalk
Jim McLaughlin will be hoping for a better performance from his team who have lost their last two games by a single goal, despite creating a considerable number of chances late on.
Raymond Campbell and Noel Melvin are both doubtful with Campbell the more likely to be sidelined and there is a chance that Raymond McCoy will return to the starting line up after a spell on the bench.
The Dubliners, meanwhile, will work off the same panel as they did last week with Declan Geoghegan still a couple of weeks away from fitness after breaking a bone in his foot.
Pat Scully's minor midweek bout of flu may be enough to allow Dave Smith back in at left full with Mick Neville slipping inside to the centre of defence. Otherwise, the hosts are likely to look much the same as they did at Oriel Park in what must, by the law of averages, be a considerably better game.
Last two seasons: 1996/97: Shelbourne 2 Dundalk 1, Dundalk 0 Shelbourne 1, Shelbourne 0 Dundalk 1; 97/98: Dundalk 0 Shelbourne 1.
Recent league form: Shelbourne: LWLDW; Dundalk: WWDLL.
Leading scorers: Shelbourne: Scully and S Geoghegan (five each); Dundalk: Byrne and Melvin (four each). Betting: Home: 8/13, Draw: 9/4, Away: 11/2.
Referee: M Tomney (Dublin).
First Division
Leaders Waterford still have a couple of players, including player-manager Tommy Lynch, doubtful for the visit of Cobh who could face easier opponents as they attempt to build on last weekend's victory over Athlone.
Liam Buckley's side are described as "the best we've played against" by Limerick manager Dave Connell "but lacking fire power up front and a bit of luck". Connell will, presumably, be hoping that the home side discover neither in time for this evening's clash at St Mel's Park.
Limerick were a little fortunate to take the points from the clash with Galway last weekend and have further problems to hinder them this time out. Jason O'Connor plays his last game before suspension but Declan Casey, Derek Whyte, Ray O'Halloran, Frankie Nolan, Ronan Hanrahan and Connell himself are all ruled out. Tony O'Kelly, a striker just signed from Tolka Rovers, comes into the panel.
"It was a bit like the Alamo for a while last week and it might be a bit like that again this time," says Connell, "but we've defended well lately and if we do it again then hopefully we'll get something out of it."
Betting courtesy of Paddy Power.
