Home form has provided the backbone of a strong start for these two sides, and so, with this game being played at Oriel Park, it is Dundalk who would appear to be favourites - except that is, with the bookmakers.
Both managers will be hoping to stick with last weekend's line-ups in spite of the fact that neither club managed a win but there is at least one problem.
For the hosts Raymond Campbell is an unlikely starter after picking up a knee injury during Sunday's outing at Inchicore. Raymond McCoy is ready to take his place with local youngster David Hoey switching to the right flank. The visitors, meanwhile, are expected to be without Tony Sheridan who has been struggling with a groin injury for a couple of weeks and looks likely to be rested for this one. With Declan Geoghegan still out, the starting XI seems likely to be the same as kicked off against Shamrock Rovers.
If they could reproduce the second-half performance from that game on a regular basis I'd be a happy man," says Damien Richardson.
Last season: Shelbourne 2 Dundalk 1, Dundalk 0 Shelbourne 1, Shelbourne 0 Dundalk 1.
Recent league form: Dundalk: WWWDL; Shelbourne: WLWLD.
Leading scorers: Dundalk: Byrne and Melvin (4 each); Shelbourne: S Geoghegan and Scully (5 each).
Betting: Home 9/4, draw 2/1, Shelbourne 11/10.
Referee: H Byrne (Dublin).
