These two clubs have done a good deal to chuck their "contender" tags away over the last few weeks by taking seven and three points out of a possible 18 respectively.
The home side will probably be without Tony O'Connor who is sidelined again due to a groin injury. Up front, where the goals have been hard to come by, Derek Swan is back in contention after coming through a reserve match last weekend.
Sligo player manager Nicky Reid is still recovering from a groin strain while full-back Ian Lynch is doubtful but everybody else, including newly signed centre half Kevin Doig, is available for action as the club tries to end a dismal run of results.
"In two of the three draws we've played quite well but no wins in six is very disappointing," says Reid. "Now we badly we need a win to boost everybody's confidence and hopefully then we could start to put a bit of a run together."
Last two seasons: 1996/97: Bohemians 0 Sligo 2, Sligo 2 Bohemians 1, Bohemians 0 Sligo 0; 97/98: Sligo 2 Bohemians 2.
Recent league form: Bohemians: DWDDL; Sligo: LLDDD.
Leading scorers: Bohemians: Lawlor and Parkes (five apiece); Sligo: Jones, Thew, Rose and Moran (four apiece).
Betting: Home: 8/11, Draw: 9/4, Away: 7/2. Referee: A O'Regan (Cork).
Drogheda United v Finn Harps (7.45)
For the hosts it's another opportunity to turn their recent improvement into points but it will not be any easier than usual with Harps, who have looked very solid in recent weeks, determined to add to the three points they took from Martin Lawlor's outfit on the opening day of the campaign.
United's new striker Joe Gallen, who did very well during his spell at Dundalk is injured but there is good news too for the home side with Rod de Khors and Michael Harte both available to play again.
"We're looking forward to it because we really think we can get something out of it but then we thought we could get something out of the Derry game," says Lawlor whose side became the latest to fall victim to a last minute winner by the champions.
Finn Harps, helped in recent weeks by the goal scoring of Jonathan Speak and James Mulligan, will be confident of their own chances and they, with the exception of long-term injury Stephen Kelly, manager Charlie McGeever brings a full squad with him to the north east.
Last two seasons: 1996/97: Did not meet; 97/98: Harps: 2 Drogheda 0.
Recent league form: Drogheda: LDDLL; Harps: WWLDD.
Leading scorers: Drogheda: N Reid (three), Harps: Speak (six).
Betting: Home: 2/1, Draw: 7/4, Away: 6/4. Referee: M Tomney (Dublin).
Shamrock Rovers v UCD (7.45)
"Taking four points out of six from our back to back matches with Bohemians was certainly not something we could have anticipated," says Dr Tony O'Neill as he reflects on his side's recent performances "but then we have done quite well against most of the leading teams."
Rovers, he admits, are not one of those teams, for the early pacesetters gave the students "a bit of a hiding" when the two clubs last met and, now that the wind appears to have temporarily deserted the Hoops' sails, there might be an opportunity for a spot of revenge.
Mick Byrne will aim to stick with the team that lost in Cork last week but Matt Britton is suffering from a minor back injury and may be forced to sit out the start. If he does miss out then Kempes Corbally (a son of Larry born around you know what World Cup) may come into the starting line up.
UCD are in quite a similar position with much the same group of players battling it out for a place in the starting line up and the management team's preference being for an unchanged side in the hope that it will bring a much needed bit of consistency. Top scorer Jason Sherlock, however, is doubtful after taking a couple of knocks last week.
Last two seasons: 1996/97: Rovers 1 UCD 1, UCD 1 Rovers 0, Rovers 0 UCD 0; 97/98: UCD 0 Rovers 3.
Recent league form: Rovers: WLDLL; UCD: LLDDW.
Leading scorers: Rovers: Cousins (nine); UCD: Sherlock (four).
Betting: Home: 11/10, Draw: 2/1, Away: 11/4. Referee: J Stacey (Athlone).
Betting courtesy of Paddy Power
First Division
There may not be too many injuries troubling Bray ahead of this evening's clash with Galway United although Pat Devlin admits that last week's remarkable 4-3 defeat by St Francis has caused a bit of "mental damage".
Four down with 11 minutes to play, there are those in the Wanderers camp who swear that if they had taken their chances, they would have won the game. It wasn't to be, however, and so the home side who Devlin says have nobody to fear but themselves, suddenly need a win to avoid the possibility of the leading two pulling away slightly.
Their cause is helped by the return from injury of Bo McKeever and Anto Whelan but Darren O'Brien damaged an ankle ligament last week and won't be available for a week or two.
Galway, meanwhile, are without Brendan O'Connor who is making a speedy recovery from a minor back operation but who will be out for at least another week. Everybody else is all right, though, and another win, which would make it five from their last six, would take Don O'Riordan's team to within striking distance of the front runners.
