Saturday
Premier Division
Derry City v Bohemians (Brandywell, 7.30) Bohemians, with one eye on next week's top of the table clash with Shelbourne, know three points is vital here. "It's a huge game for us," says manager Roddy Collins. "You can nearly say Shels will get three points against Kilkenny tomorrow, so we have to match that.
Kevin Hunt, and now Trevor Molloy, are suspended but Alex Nesovic negates the absence of the latter with his return from a one-match ban while Paul Byrne is also available again having been cup-tied last week.
Derry have Darren Kelly back from under-21 duty with Northern Ireland leaving Peter Hutton free to return to central midfield.
Last two seasons: 1999/2000: Bohemians 3 Derry City 0, Derry City 0 Bohemians 0, Bohemians 0 Derry City 0; 2000/2001: Derry City 1 Bohemians 0, Bohemians 1 Derry City 1.
Current league form: Derry City: DLDWL; Bohemians: WDWDL.
Leading league scorers: Derry City: Doherty (six); Bohemians: Crowe (20).
Referee: J. Feighery (Dublin)
Betting: Home: 11/4; Draw: 12/5; Away: 4/5.
Sunday
FAI Cup: Third Round
Portmarnock v Dundalk (Baldonnel, 3.0 - behind closed doors) "We're pleased to be finally playing the game, but it's unfortunate our fans and the community cannot witness the occasion," says Portmarnock manager John Hayes.
Hayes is without injured midfielder Colm Brannigan so Junior International player of the year Keith Bruen is set to come back into the side.
Donal Broughan, Aaron Callaghan, Liam Dunne and Paddy Quinn are out suspended for Dundalk, but boss Martin Murray has a big enough squad to enable him reshuffle.
Referee: E Barr (Dublin)
Betting: Home: 7/2; Draw: 5/2; Away: 8/13.
Winners at home to Longford Town in quarter-finals
Premier Division
Cork City v Longford Town (Turner's Cross, 2.0) Cork will be looking to end a depressing run of no win in their four previous meetings against Longford this season.
Cork midfielder Mark Herrick is unavailable due to exams while Anthony Buckley has an ankle injury.
It's been a good week for Longford with a hat-trick of wins their aim.
Last two seasons: 1999/2000: Did not meet; 2000/2001: Cork City 0 Longford Town 0, Longford Town 2 Cork City 1. Current league form: Cork City: LLDWW; Longford Town: DLLWW. Leading league scorers: Cork City: Morley (six); Longford Town: Kelly and O'Connor (six each). Referee: J. O'Neill (Waterford).
Betting: Home: 5/4; Draw: 9/4; Away: 7/4.
Shamrock Rovers v Bray Wanderers (Morton Stadium, 3.15) Bringing his players down from the high of Thursday may be Rovers manager Damien Richardson's main concern as they get back to the nitty-gritty of the league.
Shane Jackson may make his first appearance of the season in central defence as Gareth Cronin (hamstring) and Pat Deans (ankle) could be out while Marc Kenny looks set for his starting comeback.
Bray have both Matt Britton and Stephen Fox back from suspension.
Last two seasons: 1999/2000: Did not meet; 2000/2001: Bray Wanderers 2 Shamrock Rovers 2, Shamrock Rovers 1 Bray Wanderers 1.
Current league form: Bray Wanderers: LWLWD; Shamrock Rovers: WLWWD.
Leading league scorers: Bray Wanderers: Tresson (ten); Shamrock Rovers: Francis (ten).
Referee: J. Stacey (Athlone).
Betting: Home: 5/4; Draw: 9/4; Away: 7/4.
Shelbourne v Kilkenny City (Tolka Park, 5.30) THE word backlash springs to mind and effectively relegated Kilkenny can expect no mercy.
Pat Scully returns from suspension while Stephen Geoghegan or Stephen Grant may be in contention to start up front.
Kilkenny give a late fitness test to their New Zealand international defender Gavin Wilkinson.
Last two seasons: 1999/2000: Did not meet; 2000/2001: Shelbourne 1 Kilkenny City 0, Kilkenny City 0 Shelbourne 3.
Current league form: Shelbourne: LWWDL; Kilkenny City: LLLLL. Leading league scorers: Shelbourne: Foran (10); Kilkenny City: McGrath (two).
Referee: I Stokes (Dublin)
Betting: Home: 1/5; Draw: 4/1; Away: 7/1.
UCD v Finn Harps (Belfield, 3.15) UNDOUBTEDLY the biggest game of the season for both as their respective fates regarding relegation could well be decided.
UCD have Eamonn McLoughlin back from suspension while Brian Mooney is also in contention following his six month lay-off with a shoulder injury.
Harps have lost striker James Marrow for the rest of the season after he chipped a bone in his knee at Bray.
Last two seasons: 1999/2000: UCD 1 Finn Harps 0, Finn Harps 0 UCD 0, UCD 1 Finn Harps 1; 2000/2001: UCD 3 Finn Harps 2, Finn Harps 1 UCD 1. Current league form: UCD: WLLLW; Finn Harps: DDDWD. Leading league scorers: UCD: Grogan and McDonnell (four each); Finn Harps: Nesovic (six). Referee: A. Buttimer (Cork)
Betting: Home: 4/5; Draw: 12/5; Away: 11/4.
Betting courtesy of Paddy Power.
