Today
Finn Harps v Shamrock Rovers (7.30)
Mick Byrne has a few headaches ahead of the long trip north. Although Tommy Dunne is still out with a hip problem, Jason Colwell, Derek Tracey, Brian Morrisoe and Tony Cousins are expected to play despite minor injuries.
"Last week was a huge result for us, but now we have to keep it going," says Byrne. "If we can show the same sort of determination and passion for it that we did against Bohemians, then we should be all right. But it's never easy against Harps in front of the their crowd.
The hosts, with just one defeat in nine competitive games this season, will be largely unchanged, although Charlie McGeever was impressed by the performances of both substitutes last week and will probably bring at least one of them from the start. John Gerard McGettigan may have a slight edge on Davie Dowling.
Last season: Rovers 2 Harps 1, Harps 2 Rovers 1, Rovers 2 Harps 2.
Recent league form: Harps: LDDWD, Rovers: LDDDW.
Leading scorers: Harps: Mulligan (three); Rovers: Cousins and Sherlock (two apiece).
Betting: Home: 13/8, Draw: 15/8, Away: 13/8. Referee: P Whelan (Dublin).
Sligo Rovers v Cork City (7.30)
Options are still a little thin on the ground for Nicky Reid, whose side could have drawn the toss of a coin over the last few weeks. On the face of it, Sligo's only really disappointing result so far was the 2-0 defeat at Belfield, but four draws in six games is not the start Reid had been hoping for.
Without Steve Birks, Padraig Moran and Mattie Hare for the last few weeks, however, he has had little opportunity to change things around. Although all are moving towards fitness again, and Hare lacks only match practice, things are likely to remain unchanged from the game against Finn Harps.
The leaders are without Derek Coughlin, whose outstanding form this season has again earned him a place in Ian Evans's Under-21 squad. Greg O'Halloran, just back from international duty himself, may slot straight back in at right full, with Declan Daly switching to the centre, although Patsy Freyne, who came through just over 20 minutes of the game against Waterford last week without any problems, is also a possible starter. Otherwise, Dave Barry is likely to sit tight and hope his men can make seven wins out of seven.
Last season: Sligo 0 Cork 2, Cork 1 Sligo 1, Sligo 4 Cork 1.
Recent league form: Sligo: DLDDD, Cork: WWWWW.
Leading scorers: Sligo: Shannon (three), Cork: Cahill (five), Dobbs (three).
Betting: Home: 4/1, Draw: 9/4, Away: 4/6. Referee: J O'Neill (Waterford).
Waterford United v Derry City (3.15)
After last week's wake-up call at Cork, Tommy Lynch knows his side need to bounce back against Derry. But, with all of the same injury problems he had last week to contend with again, he knows it won't be easy.
Alan Reynolds, who missed the hammering by Cork with a calf strain, may be fit enough to return, but Joe Harkin (broken toe) and Robert Griffin (broken nose) are still out, while John Frost will be rested after a tough week with the under-18s.
Lynch will probably bring Barry Wood into his attack from the start, while behind the Scotsman there is likely to be a bit of a shift in formation. "We have to do something, although, without trying to take anything away from Cork who were superb last week, I really don't think we could be as bad as we were again."
With just one win from six outings things are still looking a little bleak for Felix Healy's men, but Gary Beckett and Paul Heggarty are back from injury and suspension respectively.
Both will start, with Eamonn Doherty and James Boyle the leading candidates to lose out in the reshuffle.
Last season: Did not meet.
Recent league form: Waterford: WLDDL, Derry: LWDDL.
Leading scorers: Waterford: Dully (two), Derry: McHugh and L Coyle (two apiece).
Betting: Home: 9/4, Draw: 15/8, Away: 5/4. Referee: A O'Regan (Cork).
Tomorrow (all 3.15)
Bohemians v Dundalk
Despite the result, there wasn't too much wrong with the Bohemians performance last week in Tolka. Accordingly, Turlough O'Connor will not make sweeping changes to the line-up.
Shaun Maher is suspended, and Graham O'Hanlon is expected to take his place. But Fergal Harkin should be fit despite a minor ankle injury. Peter Hanrahan's comeback may be delayed after he picked up a knock in a reserve game.
Dundalk are strengthened by the return from suspension of Mick Doohan and David Crawley, although the local man is probably the more likely of the two to start.
Having seen his side keep a clean sheet last week, their first in the league, manager Jim McLaughlin will not be rushing to change too much, although scoring goals remains a major problem. There will be fingers crossed all around Oriel that the results of Brian Byrne's exploratory operation yesterday bring good news.
Last season: Dundalk 2 Bohemians 2, Bohemians 2 Dundalk 0, Dundalk 3 Bohemians 3.
Recent league form: Bohemians: DLLLL, Dundalk: LDLDD.
Leading scorers: Bohemians: Swan (three), Dundalk: Withnell (three).
Betting: Home: 4/7, Draw: 9/4, Away: 5/1. Referee: J Stacey (Athlone).
Shelbourne v St Patrick's Athletic
For the first time this season Shelbourne manager Dermot Keely has a full squad to choose from, although Stephen Geoghegan may have to wait another week before slotting into the starting line-up. There may not, in fact, be any changes, with last season's leading scorer starting the game on the bench while Liam Kelly partners Tony Sheridan up front.
Whatever the line-up, the approach should be positive, for while last week's win in Derry will have boosted morale, the home side need to avoid defeat if they are not to be left well off the championship pace.
St Patrick's, meanwhile, are one of the teams setting the pace, with last week's defeat of UCD keeping them nicely placed on Cork's shoulder. The champions went to 3-5-2 for the game against the students, but with Colin Hawkins on international duty they may well revert to four at the back. Willie Burke and Paul Campbell are both fit enough for consideration, but Thomas Morgan, like Hawkins, is away with the under-21s.
Last season: St Patrick's 2 Shelbourne 3, Shelbourne 0 St Patrick's 2, St Patrick's 0 Shelbourne 0.
Recent league form: Shelbourne: DDLDW, St Patrick's: WWWLW.
Leading scorers: Shelbourne: Sheridan (two), St Patrick's: Gilzean 4, Molloy 3.
Betting: Home: 7/4, Draw: 7/4, Away: 13/8. Referee: R O'Hanlon (Waterford).
UCD v Bray Wanderers
The struggle to find the net continues for UCD with just three goals scored in their first six outings. This week, however, the greater concern is at the other end of the pitch, with goalkeeper Barry Ryan extremely doubtful after injuring his knee in a clash with Paul Osam and one of his defenders last week.
A final decision on Ryan won't be made until the last minute. The plan B involves chucking one of the club's new arrivals, presumably still suffering the effects of freshers' week, in for a first taste of National League action.
Things are brighter for Wanderers boss Pat Devlin than they have been in a while, with Graham Cassin and Stephen Fox ready to return after injuries while Barry O'Connor has served out his suspension.
Maurice Farrell, who came through training this week without any problems, is still a week or two away from full fitness. Still, with what he does have available to him again, Devlin is almost certain to make changes.
Last season: Did not meet.
Recent league form: UCD: DWDLL, Bray: WLWWD.
Leading scorers: UCD: Bennis, Lynch and Dunne (one apiece), Bray: Byrne (three).
Betting: Home: 15/8, Draw: 7/4, Away: 6/4. Referee: P McKeon (Dublin).
First Division
The form team, Limerick, travel to Dublin tomorrow where they will be hoping to make it five wins on the trot by beating St Francis. Dave Connell's men haven't conceded a goal during the run and, understandably, there is a reluctance to meddle with a winning formula.
There will have to be a couple of changes, though, because brothers John and Derek Whyte are carrying injuries and neither is expected to start at Baldonnel. Gareth Ryan and Sean Byrne, both of whom have missed the last few games, are expected to return.
St Francis manager Jimmy Harte would doubtless love to be coming into this game in the middle of a similar run to Limerick's, but defeats against Home Farm Everton and Athlone have left his side at the bottom of the first division.
The weekend's other games are both this evening, with Cobh, who upset Galway last week, visiting Monaghan while Home Farm travel to Longford.
Betting courtesy of Paddy Power.
