Shelbourne v St Patrick's Athletic (7.35)

Both teams come into the game boasting remarkable unbeaten runs and both have been playing particularly well of late which augurs well for this televised Eircom National League game. The home side have had worries about Richie Baker (groin), Owen Heary and James Keddy (both calf) but all three have managed to train this week and there is a fair amount of confidence that they will play, in which case there are unlikely to be any changes.

It's difficult to see how there could be after the win in Cork last week, a result that sent Shelbourne clear at the top of the table and extended their run to nine wins and seven draws in 16 league outings this season. If they could just crack it up front where Dessie Baker has displaced Gary Haylock in recent weeks then the suspicion is that their title challenge would gather real momentum but for the moment they are terrifically solid at the back and doing enough up front to continue heading in the right direction.

The champions are not scoring as many as expected either but on their day they have been playing some fairly exciting football with some of the new faces, most notably Alan McNevin, helping to liven things up.

However, they do not look as polished as last season and Colin Hawkins does not look to be at his best in the defensive central midfield role but they have gone a long time unbeaten and know they are on the verge of landing themselves right back in the hunt for a third consecutive title.

"We've done well to get this far," says St Patrick's manager Liam Buckley, "and we know this one will be tough but to lose it would be a terrible disappointment because to end up seven points behind Shelbourne after working so hard would be quite a setback.

For the visitors Paul Osam (foot), Willie Burke (ankle) and Paul Donnolly (leg) are all still out so, like Shelbourne, the starting line-up should be much the same as it was last weekend.

Last two seasons: 1998/99: Shelbourne 0 St Patrick's 1, St Patrick's 2 Shelbourne 1, Shelbourne 1 St Patrick's 1; 99/00: St Patrick's 1 Shelbourne 1.

Recent league form: Shelbourne: DWWDW; St Patrick's: WDDWW.

Leading scorers: Shelbourne: S Geoghegan, R Baker, Fenlon and Haylock (three each); St Patrick's: Hallows and McNevin (four apiece).

Betting: Home: 6/4, Draw: 11/5, Away: 6/4.

Referee: P McKeon (Dublin).

Waterford Utd v Drogheda Utd (7.45)

Waterford have a string of injury worries for this bottom-of-the-battle-clash against Drogheda with Dominic Iorfa and Karl Gannon (both knee), Alan Reynolds and Derek McGrath (both ankle) and Brendan Markey (foot) all doubtful for the starting line-up.

"We'll be taking a look at them all beforehand and we can just hope for the best because this is a very big game for us," says Waterford manager Mike Flanagan.

For Drogheda manager Martin Lawlor there are still some problems with the bout of flu that swept through the camp a couple of weeks back with Fergal Coleman very doubtful.

Greg O'Dowd is suspended but James Impey is back after serving his time on the sideline. Martin Beggs is available again while John Powell (on loan from Shelbourne) is expected to start again having done well on his debut.

Last two seasons: 1998/99: Did not meet; 99/00: Drogheda 1 Waterford 1.

Recent league form: Waterford: WDLDD; Drogheda: LWLDL.

Leading scorers: Waterford: Grant (three); Drogheda: Byrne (five), Coleman (three).

Betting: Home: 6/5, Draw: 11/5, A way: 15/8.

Referee: A O'Regan (Cork).