Saturday
Finn Harps v Longford Town, Ballybofey, 7.15 - Galway midfielder Fergal Harkin is still sidelined with injury, but manager Gavin Dykes is boosted by left back Jonathan Minnock's return after a groin strain. Kemajl Avdiu is also fit following a knee problem but must content himself with a place on the bench.
Longford won't need reminding of a 7-1 defeat in an FAI Cup replay at this venue last season but they have produced some fine away form this term, with wins at Derry, St Patrick's Athletic and Kilkenny. Stephen Kenny's team nurse several knocks following their disappointing loss at home to Bray last week. Colm Notaro (calf) and Enda Kenny (knee) are both out while right back Alan Murphy is a doubt with a bruised ankle.
Last season: No corresponding fixture.
Last five league matches: Finn Harps D L L W L, Longford W D L W L.
Leading league scorers: Nesovic (Finn Harps) 5; O'Connor (Longford) 3.
Match Odds: Home 7/4 Draw 9/4 Away 5/4.
Referee: J Feighery (Dublin).
Kilkenny City v Bohemians, Buckley Park, 7.30 - Roddy Collins returns to the Bohemians dugout, having served a two-match touchline ban for his dismissal against Shelbourne last month.
Winger David Morrison, also sent-off in that game, makes his comeback. With Jason Bowman (calf) and Mark Dempsey (ankle) still out, Morrison is likely to be the only change to the side which scraped past Finn Harps last week.
Bottom of the table, Kilkenny have tried to strengthen their squad this week. Fran Carter, central to a bitter dispute with the league last season, has re-signed for the club while manager Joe McGrath was yesterday hoping to get clearance from American club Charleston Battery for striker Jon Akin to play tonight.
Last season: No corresponding fixture.
Last five league matches: Kilkenny City D D L L L, Bohemians L W W D L.
Leading league scorers: Byrne, Kabia, Mulcahy and Murray (Kilkenny) 1; Crowe (Bohemians) 12.
Match Odds: Home 5/1 Draw 12/5 Away 1/2.
Referee: J O'Neill (Waterford).
Sunday
Bray Wanderers v St Patrick's Athletic, Carlisle Grounds, 3.00 - St Patrick's manager Pat Dolan is full of admiration for tomorrow's opponents. "I admire the success story that is Bray," said Dolan. "It's always a difficult place to go. They got a huge win psychologically in Longford last week and are back in contention again, just four points off the leaders."
Willie Burke returns for St Patrick's, having missed last week's win over Kilkenny with a groin strain while Paul Osam (groin) has resumed training having played just 80 minutes this season. Bray's former St Patrick's midfielder Eddie Gormley is struggling with a calf strain while Barry O'Connor (hamstring), Phil Keogh and Jason Byrne (both ill this week) must prove their fitness. Manager Pat Devlin includes new signing Paul Keegan in his squad.
Last season: No corresponding fixture.
Current league form: Bray L L W L W, St Pat's L W W D W.
Leading league scorers: J Byrne (Bray) 4; L Kelly (St Patrick's Athletic) 4.
Match Odds: Home 6/4 Draw 2/1 Away 6/4.
Referee: R O'Hanlon (Waterford)
Shamrock Rovers v Derry City, Morton Stadium, 2.15 - Winger Billy Woods, a transfer target for Cork City, may have to slot in at left back for Rovers in the absence of the suspended Tommy Dunne. With Sean Francis, scorer of three goals in their last two games, a doubt with a calf strain, Tony Cousins stands by for his first start in almost a year.
Derry, who haven't beaten Rovers in Dublin since December 1994, wait on Sean Hargan (knee) and Paddy McLaughlin (groin). Manager Kevin Mahon, bed-ridden with flu this week, is confident of fielding and unchanged side.
Last season: Derry City 1 Shamrock Rovers 0, Shamrock Rovers 3 Derry City 0, Derry City 0 Shamrock Rovers 0.
Last five league matches: Rovers L L D W D, Derry W W L W D.
Leading league scorers: Francis (Shamrock Rovers) 4; Beckett, Coyle, McCaul, McLaughlin (Derry City) 2.
Match Odds: Home 11/8 Draw 11/5 Away 13/8.
Referee: P. Whelan (Dublin)
First Division: Tomorrow (3.00) - Monaghan United v Dundalk.
Betting courtesy of Paddy Power.
