Home Farm Fingal v Athlone Town (7.30)

There is mixed news for First Division leaders Athlone as they head to Dublin for the first match of this year's Harp Lager FAI Cup second round. Adrian Carberry and Conor Frawley are back from suspension but Andy Myler, with 19 goals in 19 starts this season, is out after aggravating a knee ligament problem. John McDonnell and his players will be glad to hear Myler will miss this evening's game as he has bagged three against them so far this season.

The last meeting, however, was a goalless draw which the Home Farm/Fingal manager is convinced his side should have won. "In the first home game against them we were one up with eight minutes remaining and then made a couple of really basic mistakes and even in the second game (5-2 to Athlone at St Mel's Park) we didn't do too badly, we just got punished every time we made a mistake. Last time we should have beaten them, though, and so we're aiming to make it third time lucky in the home games against them this season."

Alan Lynch is suspended, Paul Crawley, David Nicholl and Thomas McGauley are injured and Jim McKeever is cup tied. However, there is at least some good news for McDonnell as Paul Whelan returns from injury.

For Athlone Gary Connaughton, Keith O'Brien and Stuart Connolly have been injured over the Christmas period but Liam Buckley will be hoping to have a couple of them back this evening.

Five-year form: HFF: 2,2,2,2,2; Athlone: 2,1,SF,1,3. Betting: Home: 7/2, draw: 9/4, away: 4/6. Referee: H Whoriskey (Dublin).