St Patrick's Athletic v Cork City (Network 2, 7.35)
The three wins over Cork last season effectively secured the title for the Dublin club and if they had won in Cork a couple of months ago they'd be neck and neck with Dave Barry's side now.
Instead, they are in danger of falling 10 points behind, a lot of ground to make up on a team as consistent as City, so there is little doubt how seriously everybody will be taking tonight's televised fixture.
The visitors are without Mark Herrick (hip) and Noel Mooney (knee), while Colin O'Brien is a worry with the flu. However, with seven goals in their last two games confidence will be high.
Phil Harrington starts again in goal, while even the loss of O'Brien and Herrick would leave Barry with Liam O'Brien, Patsy Freyne, Ollie Cahill and Kelvin Flanagan to play across the centre - hardly second-string stuff.
The champions, meanwhile, have their customary list of last-minute fitness tests to undertake, with Liam Buckley admitting that the system as well as his team selection will be decided by who ends up fit to start.
Paul Donnelly and Willie Burke are reckoned to be out of the running, while Des Byrne is available again after being away with Brian Kerr's under-18 team in Malta. Thomas Morgan, Trevor Molloy and Ger McCarthy are available for selection, too, but Barry Prenderville, Packie Lynch, Paul Osam and Eddie Gormley are amongst those needing fitness tests.
Last two seasons: 1998/99: St Patrick's 2 City 0, City 1 St Patrick's 2, St Patrick's 1 City 0; 99/00: City 1 St Patrick's 0.
Recent league form: St Patrick's: DWWDD; City: WLWWW.
Leading scorers: St Patrick's: Hallows (four); City: Morley (11).
Betting: Home: 13/8, Draw: 9/4, Away: 11/8.
Referee: H Byrne (Dublin).
Waterford v Shamrock Rvs (7.30)
With just two defeats in their last six games, Waterford are on their best run of the season, but nobody there needs telling that even the point a game they've averaged during that time isn't good enough to guarantee Premier Division status next season. Stephen Grant's arrival has helped up front. Manager Mike Flanagan believes that as Grant and Dominic Iorfa play more games together, they can strike up a rewarding partnership. Tonight the United boss is again without Karl Gannon and Alan Reynolds (knee ligaments and broken leg respectively), but given the recent improvement Flanagan is optimistic about his side's chances.
So too is Damien Richardson, despite the absence of Tony Cousins (knee) and Billy Woods (broken toe). Derek Tracey is also doubtful with the flu.
After going through a bit of a bad patch, Rovers have won two of the last three and appear to have rediscovered their scoring touch.
Last two seasons: 1998/99: United 1 Rovers 1, Rovers 0 United 0, United 1 Rovers 0; 99/00: Rovers 1 United 0.
Recent league form: United: DLWDL; Rovers: DDWLW.
Leading scorers: United: Rovers: Grant (three); Woods (six).
Betting: Home: 100/30, Draw: 9/4, Away: 8/11.
Referee: P McKeon (Dublin).
Drogheda United v Sligo Rovers
A flu epidemic at United Park may mean that supporters with the right boot sizes are thrown into the fray against Sligo Rovers this evening. Nine of Martin Lawlor's squad missed training on Monday night, seven on Wednesday and anything up to that number could be ruled out tonight.
"It's a pity," says Lawlor, "because this is a big match for us and a big opportunity. If we beat Sligo we wouldn't be in such a bad position. This makes it a lot tougher."
If Lawlor thinks he has problems, though, he might spare a thought for the opposition who arrive sporting yet another new man at the helm. Former Northern Ireland international Tommy Cassidy will get his first look at Sligo's players in action. David Pugh, who leaves the club after tonight's game following the premature departure of Alan McInally last week, will pick the team.
Sligo's chances of taking anything home won't be helped by the absence of Padraig Moran or Glen Shannon, both of whom are doubtful with hamstring problems.
Last two seasons: 1998/99: Did not meet; 99/00: Rovers 1 United 1.
Recent league form: United: LWLDL; Rovers: WLDLW.
Leading scorers: United: McIvor (three); Rovers: Moran (eight).
Betting: Home: 5/4, Draw: 9/4, Away: 7/4.
Referee: P Whelan (Dublin).
Galway United v UCD
Neil Ogden is expected to make his debut for United after completing his move from Shelbourne yesterday. They hope the left-sided midfielder will add a bit of bite to the Galway attack.
"He brings a few good things to the club," says manager Don O'Riordan. "For one thing he has played at this level and there isn't many around here who can say that, plus he has a bit of knowhow, a good left foot and a bit of pace. I think he'll be very good for us and I'm delighted to have gotten him."
On the down side for the hosts, Billy Clery and Kieran Foley are both suspended this evening while Ollie Keogh and Gareth Gorman are carrying injuries. That means that Scott Morgan will be partnered in defence by Brendan O'Connor, while Eric Lavine is expected to have recovered from the flu.
UCD, meanwhile, are still without Peter Hanrahan, out for the "foreseeable future" with an Achilles problem and Tony McDonnell (fractured toe). Otherwise Martin Moran is happy with his options, the range of which have been considerably widened by the fine form of the reserves over the past couple of months.
Last two seasons: 1998/99: Did not meet; 99/00: UCD 0 Galway 2.
Recent league form: Galway: LLDLL; UCD: WWDDL;.
Leading scorers: Galway: Clery (four); UCD: Martyn (four).
Betting: Home: 6/4, Draw: 11/5, Away: 6/4.
Referee: J O'Neill (Waterford).
Betting courtesy of Paddy Power.
