When the Airtricity League fixture list is published each year it’s fairly plain to see the work has gone into ensuring the opening and closing rounds of games have at least one or two to catch the eye.

The opening round of games was packed with derbies and the like again this year but the supposed highlight of the last round will have little enough chance left of retaining any importance if Shamrock Rovers cannot beat Sligo Rovers in Tallaght this evening.

These two were widely expected to be slugging it out at the top of the table right through to the end of the campaign. Instead, the Dubliners could fall a remarkable 16 points behind the defending champions tonight; an unthinkable prospect when the campaign kicked off three months ago.

The scale of the home side’s problems is difficult to fully explain but the numbers are certainly stark. Last season was by common consensus a disappointment but Rovers are currently seven points adrift of where they were after 10 games in 2012 with the club lying in eighth place with just two wins and the top flight’s sixth highest goal tally.

“I wouldn’t read too much into where they are at this stage,” insists Sligo boss Ian Barraclough, however. Whether its 10 or 13 or 16 points after this game there’ll still be 66 to be played for over 22 games. Nobody gets decided at this stage of the season.

“I went to see them play against UCD last weekend and they should have been six nil up before UCD had a single shot on goal and that’s just the way things are going for them at the moment: the ball’s not dropping for them but that won’t last forever.”

Ken Oman is still out for Shamrock Rovers with an ankle problem while Mark Quigley is said to be a doubt with a hamstring.

Two suspended
In addition to his long term absentees, Barraclough has Ross Gaynor and Iarfhlaith Davoren suspended. He still has some decisions to make, though, with the likes of Danny Ventre having started on the bench against Drogheda last week.

Derry City could go top tonight if they beat Limerick and Sligo lose and Declan Devine is boosted by the availability of Stewart Greacen although he will be without Kevin Deery and Paddy Kavanagh. The visitors have Patrick Nzuzi back from suspension.

St Patrick’s head to Cork with pretty much a full squad after Killian Brennan returned to training without any problem this week. City, though, must wait to see if Daryl Kavanagh comes through a late fitness test.

Dundalk will look to maintain their impressive run of away form at Bray who have doubts about Marty Waters and Shane O’Neill. Dundalk are without Chris Shields and give John Mountney’s a late fitness test on a calf strain.

Bohemians are still without Owen Heary as they head to Drogheda while both Derek Pender and Dave Scully face late tests.

Shelbourne will look for a first league win of the season against UCD. Robert Bayly misses out for the hosts through suspension while Mick Leahy and goalkeeper Mark McGinley are ruled out by injury for the students.
TONIGHT'S FIXTURES
Premier Division: Bray Wanderers v Dundalk; Cork City v St Patrick's Ath; Derry City v Limerick FC; Drogheda v Bohemians; Shamrock Rovers v Sligo Rovers; Shelbourne v UCD.
First Division: Athlone Town v Wexford Youths; Salthill Devon v Mervue Utd; Waterford Utd v Longford Town.