Tonight (7.45)
St Patrick's Athletic v Sligo Rovers
The four-game run-in which could give St Patrick's the championship starts here. That ultimate prize may well be decided when they meet Cork at Richmond Park next week but for the moment, manager Liam Buckley is focusing on the more immediate encounter.
"Realistically, if we win our last four games then we'll win the league," says Buckley.
Ian Gilzean is his main injury worry and will wait for a late fitness test before starting.
Meanwhile, the heavy defeat at the hands of Cork at the Showgrounds last weekend couldn't have come at a worse moment for Sligo and this journey to the other front runners is hardly ideal timing either. After losing three players through financial problems in the last fortnight, manager Nicky Reid now has some injuries to contend with. Ian Lynch (groin) and Wesley Charles (hamstring) didn't train all week and are doubtful while Jim Sheridan has flu.
"It was a tough one last week and we really need a couple of results now before the end of the season," says Reid.
Last two seasons: 1998/98: Sligo 3 St Patrick's 4, St Patrick's 1 Sligo 2, Sligo 1 St Patrick's 1. 98/99: St Patrick's 4 Sligo 1, Sligo 1 St Patrick's 4.
Recent league form: St Patrick's: WDWDD; Sligo: WDLWL.
Leading scorers: Shelbourne: Sheridan (10); Sligo: Hallows (eight).
Betting: Home: 1/2; Draw: 12/5; Away: 11/2.
Referee: R O'Hanlon (Waterford).
Bray Wanderers v Waterford United
A win here for either side would send them up a few places into relative security, while a loss would add some extra burden in their survival. Bray Wanderers may be on a roll at the moment, securing a Cup final place and taking handy points at UCD last weekend, but Waterford have been doing a bit of catching up themselves and won't want to stop now. As Waterford manager Mike Flanagan puts it, neither of them would like to give the other team the advantage going into the last four games.
Bray manager Pat Devlin, meanwhile, is putting all his efforts into maintaining their premier status before the Cup final next month, but it's a difficult run in and they can't afford any slips. The big loss in terms of injuries is veteran midfielder Alan Smith who received seven stitches around the shin following the Cup semi-final victory over Shelbourne.
Last two seasons: 1997/98: (both First Division); 98/99: Wanderers 6 United 0. Recent league form: Wanderers: DLDWW; United: DLWDW
Leading scorers: Wanderers: Byrne (five); Waterford: Gannon (four).
Betting: Home: 6/5; Draw: 9/4; Away: 15/8.
Referee: A O'Regan (Cork).
Shamrock Rovers v UCD
With Rovers still within striking range of third spot and UCD not yet safe at the other end, both sides have everything to gain from this outing. The form in both camps has been inconsistent as well so this may well be the closest tie of the day.
Mick Byrne remains optimistic about Rovers' chances, quick to remind that there's 15 points to be got in their last run of games. "I think third place will be as tight as the first," he says. "We're still seeing some strange results this season and it may well come down to the last game."
UCD were guilty of some defensive blunders against Wanderers on Monday and manager Tony O'Neill is under no illusions about the degree of their safety. "We still have a lot of work to do with three more difficult games left after this," he says. "The mood is still good except for Monday's result but we can't afford to be giving away so many goals."
Last two seasons: 1997/98: UCD 0 Rovers 3, Rovers 2 UCD 0, UCD 0 Rovers 0. 98/99: Rovers 2 UCD 0, UCD 0 Rovers 2.
Recent league form: Rovers: DDWLD; UCD: DLDDL.
Leading scorers: Rovers: Sherlock (eight); UCD: O'Byrne (six).
Betting: Home: 11/8; Draw: 12/5; Away: 6/4.
Referee: T Tully (Cork).
Betting courtesy of Paddy Power
First Division
St Francis, who have only won two games this season and are 13 points adrift at the bottom and play host to leaders Drogheda United. Despite missing the chance to move further ahead last weekend, Drogheda are still four points clear of Cobh Ramblers and won't be in any mood to let the maximum points slip on this occasion.
FIXTURES (7.45 unless stated)
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Premier Division (7.30) - St Patricks Ath v Sligo Rovers; Shamrock Rovers v UCD; Bray Wanderers v Waterford.
First Division - St Francis v Drogheda United: Limerick FC v Athlone Town (both 7.30).
ENGLISH LEAGUE Division Two - Gillingham v Bournemouth.
Division Three - Swansea v Shrewsbury.
