Saturday
Shamrock Rovers v Shelbourne (2.0)
WITH Rovers just about having the better of last week's draw at Richmond Park, Damien Richardson is unlikely to want to change his starting line up but he does have slight doubts about the fitness of Shane Jackson and Brian Byrne, so Gino Brazil and Richie Purdy may both start at the back while Shane Robinson (who will be presented with the National League Player of the Month award for September this afternoon) may return to the right wing.
Tony O'Dowd is also fit and available again but whether he is selected is another thing as the Rovers manager has been pleased with the way Robbie Horgan has performed since coming in.
Shelbourne, meanwhile, are still without John Powell. Fortunately Neil Ogden and Carl Van Der Velden were both uninjured in a minor car crash on Wednesday but Ogden, is still short of match practice.
Richie Baker is expected to start on the flank, with Stephen Geoghegan to start again up front.
Last season: Shelbourne 2 Rovers 0, Rovers 2 Shelbourne 1, Shelbourne 1 Rovers 0.
Recent league form: Rovers: WWLLD, Shelbourne: DWWDW.
Betting: Home: 13/8, Draw: 2/1, Away: 6/4.
Referee: R O'Hanlon (Waterford).
Sunday
Bohemians v Sligo Rovers (2.0)
Bohemians return home tomorrow to play Sligo at Dalymount where the club's new stand will be used for the first time. Avery John, Graham Doyle and Austin Huggins are all added to the squad that travelled to Finn Harps last week.
Sligo also have close to a full squad available with only Lee Marshall missing from the team that earned Rovers their first home win of the season last week. Wesley Charles who came on for Marshall during the first half of that game will come in from the start this time.
Last season: Rovers 2 Bohemians 2, Bohemians 0 Rovers 1 Rovers 2 Bohemians 1.
Recent league form: Bohemians: WDDWW, Rovers: LLLWW.
Betting: Home: 1/2, Draw: 12/5, Away: 11/2. Referee: J Stacey (Athlone).
Derry City v Cork City
TWO sides with dramatically different form over the past few weeks meet at the Brandywell tomorrow. Derry's anxiety concerning their form is shown by the Gary Beckett's inclusion in their squad despite having knee problems. With Liam Coyle still suspended, Beckett is likely to start again tomorrow while Darren Kelly and Andy Moran are both available despite suffering from back trouble and tendonitis respectively during the week.
For Cork Johnny Glynn is likely to start in place of the injured John Caulfield.
Patsy Freyne and Greg O'Halloran have to settle for places on the bench again despite being fully fit, along with Gerald Dobbs.
Last season: Cork 2 Derry 1, Derry 1 Cork 1, Cork 0 Derry 1.
Recent league form: Derry: DWLLL, Cork: WDWWW.
Betting: Home: 100/30, Draw: 9/4, Away: 8/11. Referee: H Byrne (Dublin).
Waterford United v Finn Harps
TWO of the early season strugglers meet at a time when they are both hoping to build on some promising performances over the last week or two. Waterford manager, Mike Flanagan is likely to start with much the same team with Dominic Iorfa earning a place in the starting line up.
Harps' manager Gavin Dykes, meanwhile, has a couple of worries with Johnny Kenny hoping to play despite a knee injury and Trevor Scanlon doubtful due to a foot injury. Dykes's own fate, now that his four-week stint is up, will be decided next Thursday at the club's AGM.
Last season: Harps 1 United 2, United 0 Harps 3, Harps 2 United 0. Recent league form: United: DLLDD, Harps: DLWWL.
Betting: Home: 11/8, Draw: 2/1, Away: 7/4. Referee: J McDermott (Dublin).
Betting courtesy of Paddy Power.
