Saturday
Cork City v Bohemians (2.0) - Having disposed of Galway and UCD handily enough, the Dubliners head for Cork in a strong position to pick up their first win at Turner's Cross for more than a decade.
After last week's game at Dalymount, UCD's Martin Moran says the Dalymount side have what it takes (primarily, he says, the best striker and best midfielder in the league) to win the championship. But Roddy Collins will be wary of a team that has already shown an occasional tendency to perform to their potential.
Bohemians should be unchanged, with Mark Dempsey and Dave Morrison still well out of the reckoning due to injury, although Rob Bowman is available again and should be in the squad.
The hosts continue to search for some consistency and, after being beaten comfortably by Shelbourne a few weeks back, a win today would be a reassuring sign that they are capable of doing more than floating about in mid-table for the rest of the campaign.
Last two seasons: 1999/00: City 1 Bohemians 1, Bohemians 3 City 0, City 2 Bohemians 1; 00/01: Bohemians 1 City 1.
Recent league form: City: WLDWL; Bohemians: DWLWW.
Leading scorers: City: Morley (four); Bohemians: Crowe (13).
Betting: Home: 13/8, Draw: 11/5, Away: 11/8.
Referee: J McDermott (Dublin).
Derry City v Kilkenny City (7.30) - Perhaps the Derry board should have pretended the club's financial troubles were even worse than was the case, because ever since it became apparent that the various fundraising activities of recent weeks would get the Brandywell outfit into the black the first team's form has taken a dramatic turn for the worse.
It had originally improved, of course, when the initial problems were revealed, but with a draw and three defeats in their last five games it is important that they don't end up being the team to slip up against Kilkenny. If they do, they won't have too much by way of injuries to blame for, aside from late expected fitness tests on Darren Kelly (ankle) and Gary Beckett (hip) they are in fairly good shape.
Kilkenny, meanwhile, head north with even more new players on the bus, and Joe McGrath will be anxious that the latest arrivals don't take too long to show everybody just what it is that they're capable of.
Northern Ireland under-21 international Paul McReavy (midfield), New Zealand international Gavin Wilkinson (centre half) and Carlos Rocha, a 27-year-old striker, may be thrown straight into the action as their manager still seeks his first win since taking over.
Last two seasons: 1999/00: Did not meet. 00/01: Derry 0 Longford 2.
Recent league form: Derry: DLLDL; Kilkenny: LLLLL.
Leading scorers: Derry: Coyle (three); Kilkenny: Carter, Mulcahy, Byrne, Kabia, and Murray (one apiece).
Betting: Home: 4/11, Draw: 11/4, Away: 7/1.
Referee: J Feighery (Dublin).
Sunday
Shamrock Rovers v Finn Harps (2.0) - Dave Smith's calf strain, picked up in the heavy ground at Longford during the prematch warm-up, is certain to keep the right back out, and Damien Richardson has other worries too with Jason Colwell (ankle), Sean Francis (hamstring) and Gino Brazil (thigh) all doubtful.
Harps have a couple of difficulties too, not the least of them being player/manager Gavin Dykes who is struggling with a hamstring problem. Top scorer Alex Nesovic (calf) and Kevin McHugh (back) are carrying knocks as well but the hope is that all three will play leaving only Tom Mohan (knee) on the sidelines.
Last two seasons: 1999/00: 00/01: Harps 0 Rovers 0.
Recent league form: Rovers: DWWWL; Harps: WLWLD.
Leading scorers: Rovers: Francis (five); Harps: Nesovic (six).
Betting: Home: 1/2, Draw: 5/2, Away: 5/1.
Referee: J Stacey (Athlone)
UCD v Longford Town (3.15) - The students had just started to show a bit of form when they got knocked back at Dalymount, but Martin Moran insists that he is not too concerned by the defeat given that he reckons that Bohemians are the best side in the league and that several of his own players were suffering from the flu last week.
A couple have continued to miss training this week with the bug but all but Robert McAuley have now recovered. More pressing are the knee problems suffered by John Martin and Aidan Lynch, both of whom are ruled out.
Tony McDonnell has been back in training, however, while the performances of players like David Quinn who has come in recent weeks on the right side of midfield have impressed the manager. Barry Ryan, meanwhile, who had back trouble last week is fit again and will start.
Longford boss Stephen Kenny hopes to stick with the team that beat Rovers.
There is good news for the future with Niall Byrne, Paul Perth and Alan Murphy making progress from long-term injuries.
Last two seasons: 1999/00: Did not meet; 00/01: Longford 2 UCD 0.
Recent league form: UCD: DWWDL; Longford: WLWDW.
Leading scorers: UCD: McDonnell and Grogan (three apiece); Longford: O'Connor (four).
Betting: Home: 8/11, Draw: 12/5, Away: 3/1.
Referee: E Barr (Waterford).
Betting courtesy of Paddy Power
