Saturday

Finn Harps v Galway United (7.15)

Fergal Harkin is still ruled out of the Harps line up by an ankle injury picked up last month but Gavin Dykes has, the local midfielder aside, a full strength panel available to him for the visit of United.

The first match between these two this season was a bizarre affair, "the craziest game I have ever watched," says Dykes and while he admits that there is not a great deal of difference between the side that collapsed that evening and the one that will take the field tonight he is hopeful that, with home advantage, the performance will be much stronger.

Galway boss Don O'Riordan should have Scott Morgan back from injury and could have Bobby Ryan available again - the two picked up knocks in Cork a couple of weeks ago - but a debut for newly signed striker Stephen Grant depends on his international clearance coming through from the United States. If it doesn't then Ollie Keogh and David Goldbey are the most likely candidates to partner Eric Lavine in attack.

Last two seasons: 1999/00: United 1 Harps 3, Harps 1 United 2, United 0 Harps 4; 00/01: United 5 Harps 2.

Recent league form: Harps: DLLWL; United: DWDLL.

Leading scorers: Harps: Nesovic (five); United: Lavine (eight).

Betting: Home: 2/1, Draw: 11/5, Away: 11/10.

Referee: D Hancock (Dublin).

Kilkenny City v UCD (7.30)

City's plight is looking fairly desperate and another defeat this evening would be a severe blow. With that in mind, one presumes, it has been another busy week down at Buckley Park where one striker - Jason Kabia - has been released and another - Jonathan Akin - has been recruited from America.

The team will again be hampered by the fact that Greg Costello is suspended and Sean Murray is still recovering from a nasty shoulder injury so there are unlikely to be many changes from the side that lost to St Patrick's a fortnight ago.

The students are, meanwhile "improving" as Martin Moran puts it although he is quick to point out that no one is breaking out the champagne quite yet.

Nevertheless a draw with Rovers and a good win in Galway have restored some confidence to a team that had previously lost three-in-a-row and first goals of the season for Ciaran Martyn and Eoin Bennis last week were an added bonus.

For the trip to Kilkenny, where Moran feels anything less than a win would be a disappointment, Clive Delaney is ruled out by suspension while Tony McDonnell (with three goals in his last two appearances, is suffering from a dead leg and so also misses out.

Last two seasons: 1999/00: Did not meet; 00/01: UCD 2 City 1.

Recent league form: City: DDLLL; UCD: LLLDW.

Leading scorers: City: Byrne, Mulcahy, Kabia and Murray (one apiece); UCD: McDonnell and Grogan (three apiece).

Betting: Home: 100/30, Draw: 5/2, Away: 4/6.

Referee: J Feighery (Dublin).

Longford Town v Derry City (7.30)

Stephen Kenny's side pretty much announced their arrival in the top flight on the first weekend of the campaign by beating City in the Brandywell but things have moved on some since then with the Candystripes finding a bit of form and Longford struggling just a little at home.

Right back Alan Murphy misses the game with an ankle injury but, on the plus side for Kenny, Paul Perth is back after a long term lay-off and looks set to make his premier division debut this evening while Colin Notaro has shaken off a calf strain and is also available to return.

For the visitors Liam Coyle is again the main doubt with the striker still suffering from the neck ligament problem that has left him sidelined for the past couple of weeks. Eddie McCallion is suspended and will probably be replaced at right full by Joe Harkin while up front it will be any two from Gary Beckett, Stephen Parkhouse and Brendan Devlin with the former two the favourites to start.

Last two seasons: 1999/00: Did not meet; 00/01: City 0 Town 1.

Recent league form: Town: WDLWL; City: WLWDL.

Leading scorers: Town: O'Connor, S Byrne, Farrell and Kelly (two apiece); City: Beckett, McCaul, Coyle and McLaughlin (two apiece).

Betting: Home: 7/4, Draw: 11/5, Away: 5/4.

Referee: E Barr (Dublin).

Sunday

Bray Wanderers v Shelbourne (3.0)

Once again Pat Devlin will have to make last minute checks on a number of players before settling on his starting 11. Paul Keegan has arrived back from the United States but has a groin strain which will probably keep him out while Eddie Gormley (calf) and Eddie Van Boxtel (thigh) are both rated as doubtful.

To make matters worse Colm Tresson and Jason Byrne, both of whom played for the National League in Galway, picked up knocks in the west and each faces a late fitness test.

No such problems for Dermot Keely despite the Shelbourne manager's decision to start with five of his own players on Wednesday in Terryland. Jim Crawford is still ruled out by the back problem that has severely limited his first team opportunities so far this season but everyone else is fit and available including Pat Fenlon, who had to sit out the representative match due to a minor strain.

Last two seasons: 1999/00: Did not meet; 00/01: Shelbourne 0 Wanderers 1.

Recent league form: Wanderers: LWLWD; Shelbourne: WDDDW.

Leading scorers: Wanderers: Byrne (five); Shelbourne: Foran (five).

Betting: Home: 11/4, Draw: 9/4, Away: 4/5.

Referee: J O'Neill (Waterford).

Betting courtesy of Paddy Power.