St Patrick's Ath v Drogheda Utd (7.45)

On paper the table toppers should have it a good deal easier than at the Brandywell last weekend but United have continued to strengthen their side over recent weeks and are bound to make it tough.

Joe Gallen returns to the Drogheda team for this match after picking up a minor injury during his debut with Greg O'Dowd returning to the National League after a spell with Coleraine and is likely to go straight into the centre of midfield this evening.

St Pat's, meanwhile, will have Paul Keegan available for the first time after signing the New England Revolution striker on a three-month loan. Pat Dolan was giving little away yesterday as to whether the Dubliner would play but it would seem likely that he will figure in some way over the course of the evening especially if the manager chooses to stick with the 4-3-3 formation employed on Saturday evening.

Eddie Gormley is the only other doubt for the hosts with the midfielder suffering once more from an ankle ligament problem which has afflicted him for several weeks now but he should still start.

Last two seasons: 1996/97: Did not meet; 97/98: Drogheda 1 St Patrick's 3.

Recent league form: St Patrick's: WWWWD Drogheda: DDLLL.

Leading scorers: St Patrick's: Molloy and Gilzean (four apiece); Drogheda: N Reid (three).

Betting: Home: 1/3, Draw: 11/4, Away: 9/1.

Referee: J Stacey (Athlone).

Shelbourne v Derry City (7.45)

These two have produced some cracking ties over the past couple of seasons and this should be no different as both sides go in search of a win and the points needed to keep the pressure on the leaders.

Shelbourne may be better placed in the table just now but it is City whose form has been the fractionally stronger over the past month or so. Their winning run was brought to a halt by St Patrick's last weekend but it was another convincing performance by the champions who have now played themselves right back into contention after a fairly awful start.

Liam Coyle, who scored what was probably the best goal of the season so far in that game, is doubtful for this evening and if he does miss out then Felix Healy will pair Gary Beckett and Sean Hargan in attack with the rest of team likely to be unchanged.

Damien Richardson's selection may be more interesting. Pascal Vaudequin is back in contention but will be fortunate to break into the team after last week's win in Kilkenny. Tony Sheridan started that game up front and Shelbourne found the net in the opening 16 minutes so Richardson may persist with a partner up front for Stephen Geoghegan although Liam Kelly could come into the reckoning.

Whatever the Shelbourne boss decides to do his opposite number is looking forward to the game remarking that "some of our lads were tired for the Cup final and we weren't really ready for them, but we're not too far off ready now."

Last two seasons: 1996/97: Shelbourne 2 Derry 2, Derry 2 Shelbourne 2, Shelbourne 1 Derry 1; 97/98: Derry 2 Shelbourne 2.

Recent league form: Shelbourne: LDWWW Derry: WWWWD.

Leading scorers: Shelbourne: S Geoghegan (nine); Derry: Hargan (five).

Betting: Home: 11/8, Draw: 7/4, Away: 2/1. Referee: A O'Regan (Cork).

First Division

A dismal run of results over the last few weeks has hit Athlone's chances of promotion while Longford this week conceded their lack of involvement in the race to go up by cutting wages and parting company with a couple of their players.

None of which would appear to auger well for this game but the fact is that both of these clubs have done more than most when it comes to bringing young talent through and you can be sure that at least some of those being nurtured by Liam Buckley and Michael O'Connor now will be among the next generation of major stars in the league.

For the moment O'Connor's youngsters will be playing with one eye on next season when, O'Connor is certain, Longford will be capable of a serious push for the top flight. Tonight they will be without Frank Garvey who has chosen to return to junior football and Damien Dunleavy who has departed while Ronnie Murphy is suspended. Alan Doherty, however, is available again after work commitments kept him out last week.

Buckley, meanwhile, needs his side to turn things around over the next couple of games if they are to mount a challenge during the second half of the season. His team would be boosted if Ray McLoughlin and Tom Silke come through fitness tests this evening and he is hopeful that both will and that a win here can kick off a better spell.

Betting courtesy of Paddy Power