Saturday (7.30)
Finn Harps v Shelbourne
On the basis of the last couple of seasons, this doesn't exactly look like the most promising of games for Shelbourne, who need to win if they are to be sure of still topping the table tomorrow evening. They have conceded three goals on each of their last two visits to Ballybofey and were a little lucky to get out of jail against the Donegalmen in Dublin a few weeks back. Matters are not helped by the fact that Liam Kelly is carrying a knock from Monday's cup replay and Declan Geoghegan is still not quite 100 per cent yet, but Damien Richardson reckons that everybody else looked very fresh and confident following a midweek break.
Harps boss Charlie McGeever will definitely have Stuart Gauld available after the defender missed the trip to Cork due to work commitments, while Pascal Vaudequin is anxious to play against his old club after failing a late fitness test on a hamstring on Tuesday. Shane Bradley and James Mulligan are out, though, and neither is certain to make it back in time for the cup match in early April.
"It's a match we need to win if we are to keep alive our chances of qualifying for Europe through the league and one that Damien will certainly want to win. The pitch is in good condition and there'll be a good atmosphere, so it should be a very good night for anybody who comes along," says McGeever.
Last two seasons: 1996/97: Shelbourne 1 Harps 2, Harps 3 Shelbourne 2, Shelbourne 2 Harps 0; 97/98: Harps 3 Shelbourne 1, Shelbourne 3 Harps 2.
Recent league form: Harps: WWLDL; Shelbourne: WWWWD.
Leading scorers: Harps: Speak (nine); Shelbourne: S Geoghegan (12), Scully (10).
Betting: Home: 7/4, Draw: 9/4, Away: 5/4. Referee: P McKeon (Dublin).
Sligo Rovers v Derry City
Both of these two have a string of problems to cope with although Nicky Reid's side seem to be moving in the right direction. Rovers welcome back Mark Hutchison and Aled Rowlands for this evening's game which will give their manager a couple of extra options, but he must still cope without Peter Cubbesson or Paul Morgan at the back.
It is up front that the hosts are worst hit, however, with Padraig Moran and Marcus Hallows still injured and Sean Flannery heading to Dublin this morning to join up with Brian Kerr's under-18 international side ahead of Wednesday's UEFA play-off in Greece.
In the circumstances, Steve Jones appears the most likely to be pushed up front alongside Donogh Oates, while Brian Southworth and Damien Kennedy are the most probable candidates for a start on the right-hand side.
For Derry, a win here has become all the more vital in the wake of last week's abysmal showing against UCD. The champions' form at home has been grim enough with just three wins in 13 outings, but this was the first time they had conceded three and it was a loss that dragged them firmly back into a scrap to avoid the relegation play-off.
Felix Healy is without Liam Coyle, James Keddy or Robbie Brunton all of who are suspended, while Tom Mohan is still a week or so away from full fitness. Gavin Dykes who was replaced during the UCD game is okay and should start.
Last two seasons: 1996/97: Derry 0 Sligo 0, Sligo 0 Derry 1, Derry 0 Sligo 2; 97/98: Sligo 3 Derry 0, Derry 0 Sligo 0.
Recent league form: Sligo: WWDWL; Derry: LLLWL.
Leading scorers: Sligo: Moran (seven), Jones (six); Derry: Keddy and Hargan (five apiece).
Betting: Home: 4/6, Draw: 12/5, Away: 7/2. Referee: A O'Regan (Cork).
Sunday
Cork City v St Patrick's Athletic (2.0)
A huge match for both of these teams, with Cork looking to maintain the sort of form that has raised their sights above third place over the last few weeks, while St Patrick's will have to show a great deal of character to put the Cup defeat by Shelbourne behind them.
The hosts should have Gareth Cronin back in contention for a starting place, but Colin O'Brien is struggling after having to come off against Harps with a back strain. Dave Hill is doubtful due to a dead leg.
Pat Dolan has a few problems of his own as he tries to pick his players up, though. Leon Braithwaite will probably start, but is still not fully over a thigh strain picked up over the course of the great battle with Shelbourne, while Willie Burke, Paul Osam and Eddie Gormley are all out due to injury (first two) and suspension (Gormley). Keith Doyle, meanwhile, is with Brian Kerr for the day in Clonshaugh.
"It'll be another tough game, but we've given ourselves a chance of getting back into it over the last few games and nobody will want the effort in those matches to go to waste now," says City manager Dave Barry who will be particularly keen to see if former Saint Johnny Glynn can maintain the goal-a-game form he has shown for the southerners since starting for the first time against Drogheda.
Last two seasons: 1996/97: St Patrick's 1 Cork 1, Cork 1 St Patrick's 1, St Patrick's 0 Cork 0; 97/98: Cork 0 St Patrick's 1, St Patrick's 3 Cork 3.
Recent league form: Cork: WWLWW; St Patrick's: WDWWD.
Leading scorers: Cork: O'Brien (seven), Cahill (six); St Patrick's: Gilzean (nine), Molloy (seven).
Betting: Home: 2/1, Draw: 9/4, Away: 11/10. Referee: H Byrne (Dublin).
Shamrock Rovers v Dundalk (3.15)
The win in Kilkenny was an important one for Jim McLaughlin's side, but another three points from this game would go a long way towards sending them clear of the relegation play-off danger zone.
It won't be easy, though, for Rovers have been very hard to beat of late, while Dundalk, even if they have started to score goals again, have been finding it very difficult to win games.
Tomorrow McLaughlin will probably have a full squad to pick from, with Shane Reddish recovering well from a collision on Tuesday, while Tom McNulty is available again after serving out his suspension. Mick Doohan may start this time, as might local youngster Derek Delaney, who has doing well lately. Steve Williams and David Hoey will be looking to continue producing the sort of form that has attracted the interest of Watford recently.
Paul Whelan will come back in for the Hoops after his twomatch ban, while Tommy Dunne is fit again and will take at least a place on the bench, but Mark O'Neill is out due to suspension.
Last two seasons: 1996/97: Dundalk 4 Rovers 1, Rovers 0 Dundalk 2, Dundalk 1 Rovers 3; 97/98: Rovers 1 Dundalk 2, Dundalk 0 Rovers 0.
Recent league form: Rovers: DDDWD; Dundalk: DLLDW.
Leading scorers: Rovers: Cousins (11); Dundalk: Byrne (seven), Melvin (six).
Betting: Home: 4/5, Draw: 9/4, Away: 11/4. Referee: J Casey (Waterford)
UCD v Drogheda United (3.15)
The visitors hope to have James Impey back in the starting line-up after the former Aston Villa defender failed a fitness test for the match against Cork last weekend. Martin Lawlor also intends to give a run out to local youngster Wayne Carroll, who is one of several teenagers the club hope to bring through over next season.
For UCD, meanwhile, Tony McDonnell (toe) and Ciaran Kavanagh (knee) represent the most serious worries, but both might still play in a game which the students will be hoping continue their recent run of strong league form.
Jason Sherlock's sudden spurt of goalscoring has provided the backbone of their late charge towards fourth last in the table and, on the face of it, this weekend will be seen as an opportunity to further strengthen their position.
Last two seasons: 1996/97: Did not meet; 97/98: UCD 3 Drogheda 0, Drogheda 0 UCD 0.
Recent league form: UCD: LDWWW; Drogheda: LDLLL.
Leading scorers: UCD: Sherlock (nine); Drogheda: N Reid (three).
Betting: Home: 4/7, Draw: 5/2, Away: 4/1. Referee: J Stacey (Athlone).
First Division
Galway are the only one of the teams with a realistic chance of winning promotion not to have played on Friday night and they travel to Cobh tomorrow afternoon looking to keep up their own challenge for the place in the play-offs.
Delighted with his side's midweek outing against Derby, manager Don O'Riordan hopes to have close to a full squad to choose from, although Brendan O'Connor, who pulled a thigh muscle in last week's league outing, is thought to be doubtful.
In the other game of the day, Monaghan United visit St Francis, while Ronnie Murphy will be in charge of Longford for the first time this evening when they take on Athlone for the second time this week at Strokestown Road.
Betting courtesy of Paddy Power
