Friday's previews

Tolka Rovers v Waterford Utd, (Frank Cooke Park, 7.0)

United manager Gareth Cronin admits to viewing this with "a bit of trepidation" but the Premier Division outfit remain strong favourites to book their place in the next round after finding a bit of league form in the lead up to the break.

David Breen misses the game for the visitors with a calf strain while the hosts will be without midfielder Peter Rogers through suspension. "They're the top flight outfit so they'll be expected to go through," says Rovers boss Jason Kelly, "but we'll put it up to them, we'll give them a game."

Last year:Tolka Rovers (First round: lost 3-1 to Carrigaline Utd); Waterford Utd (Third round: lost 1-0 to Longford Town after replay).

Betting: Home:6/1, Draw: 13/5, Away: 4/9.

Malahide Utd v Cherry Orchard, (Gannon Park, 7.0)

There's something of a "Charity Shield" feel to this one with Leinster Senior League champions (Cherry Orchard) coming up against the Metropolitan Cup winners. Each beat the other away in the league last year while Malahide also overcame their rivals in Ballyfermot on the way to that cup success. Malahide manager Bobby Browne may be without skipper John Lawlor as the centre half suffered a gash to his shin in a friendly with UCD last week.

The visitors will be without a number of established regulars due to holidays from a side that includes plenty of players with League of Ireland experience.

Last year:Malahide Utd (Second round: lost 2-0 to St Patrick's Ath); Cherry Orchard (Did not qualify).

Betting:Home: 7/5, Draw: 2/1, Away: 17/10.

Limerick 37 v Wexford Youths, (Jackman Park, 7.45)

Odd that the two newcomers to the league have been drawn against each other in the cup but neither will be complaining about what each will see as opportunity to progress to the last 16.

Limerick manager Paul McGee has defender Pat Purcell and striker Pádraig Moran unavailable while David Goldbey is considered "touch and go" with a hamstring problem.

Wexford Youths manager Mick Wallace expects winger Liam O'Loughlin to return from injury: Paul Malone is suspended, while Richie Fitzgerald, Thomas Hawkins, and Marty Kelly are out injured.

Last year:Limerick 37 (Had not been formed); Wexford Youths (Did not qualify).

Betting:Home: 4/9, Draw: 11/4, Away: 11/2.

Phoenix v St Patrick's Athletic, (Richmond Park, 7.45)

Having surrendered home advantage by agreeing to play at Inchicore, it's harder than ever to see Phoenix pulling off a surprise but there's a bit of experience within the side. The Premier Division leaders are without just one player - Joseph Ndo - while the non-leaguers are missing Colm Cassidy (holiday) and Aidan O'Hara (cruciate ligament injury).

Last year:Phoenix (Had not been formed); St Patrick's Ath (Final: lost 4-3 to Derry City aet).

Betting:Home: 18/1, Draw: 11/2, Away: 1/10.

Derry City v Monaghan Utd, (The Brandywell, 7.45)

After a miserable start to their league campaign and the departure of Pat Fenlon, Derry City are at least getting over their injury problems ahead of the start of the defence of their cup. Still waiting for a permanent appointment to be made, stand-in manager Peter Hutton is without Greg O'Halloran and must wait to assess the fitness of Ken Oman.

Mick Cooke is without Stephen Finnegan and Michael Kerr but also has bodies back which has prompted a bit of optimism.

"They've had a bit of turmoil up there so if play to the best of our ability we might cause a bit of a surprise."

Last year:Derry City (Winners); Monaghan Utd (Second round: lost 4-2 to Dublin City in a replay).

Betting:Home: 1/7, Draw: 5/1, Away: 12/1.

Galway Utd v Finn Harps, (Terryland Park, 7.45)

A month ago Galway would have looked rather vulnerable here but a couple of very good wins in the run up to the break during which Derek Glynn started to look like the solution to the team's lack of goals, will have done much for confidence. Here they meet a Harps side that also managed their first back to back wins of the season during the last month. United, though, go into the game with just one suspension, John Lester's, to worry about.

Harps boss Paul Hegarty will have to watch from the stands as he serves a one-match ban. He must plan without the injured Michael Funston. Chris Breen went to Australia earlier this week and Gordon Simms has also played his last game for the club.

Last year:Galway Utd (Second round: lost 2-1 to Athlone); Finn Harps (Third round: lost 3-2 to Athlone after replay).

Betting:Home: 1/2, Draw: 5/2, Away: 5/1.

Drogheda Utd v Bohemians, (United Park, 7.45, live on TG4)

The "tie of the round" involves sides with title aspirations and managers determined to turn their respective clubs' financial muscle into domestic dominance. Drogheda are handicapped this evening as Jason Gavin, Declan O'Brien and Richie Baker are ruled out.

Bohemians' form suggests things are beginning to settle down under Sean Connor and the only change to his squad this evening will be the addition of Fergal Harkin, who has apparently recovered from a knee injury.

Last year:Drogheda Utd (Second round: lost 1-0 to Limerick after replay); Bohemians (Third round: lost 2-0 to Shamrock Rovers in a replay).

Betting:Home: evens, Draw: 21/10, Away: 12/5.

Shelbourne v Cork City, (Tolka Park, 8.0)

Shelbourne boss Dermot Keely will look to his young side to rise to the occasion, while Damien Richardson will be hoping the visitors make the most of their superior pool of talent. Shelbourne are likely to have three 16-year-olds on the bench due to a string of injuries with Tony O'Dowd (thigh), Aidan Collins (dislocated shoulder) and John Brophy (broken ankle) amongst those ruled out.

City have a full squad to choose from, something Richardson is grateful for ahead of a clash with a team he feels "have plenty to play for and nothing to lose".

Last year:Shelbourne: (Third round: lost 1-0 to Derry City); Cork City: (Second round: lost 2-1 to Longford Town).

Betting:Home: 6/1, Draw: 13/5, Away: 4/9.

Betting courtesy of Paddy Power.