Bohemians v Monaghan Utd (7.0)

There's mixed news for the champions ahead of Monaghan's visit with Kevin Hunt ruled out by suspension but Avery John and Wayne Russell are back in contention. John will almost certainly slot into central defence alongside either Dave Hill or Tony O'Connor, which will allow Stephen Caffrey to fill the gap in central midfield left by Hunt's absence. Team manager Pete Mahon, meanwhile, must decide on whether to stick with Michael Dempsey in goal or recall Russell.

Monaghan could be better fixed with Eddie Myer (ankle), Mick Scully (back), Derek McGrath (hamstring) and Brian Mooney ('flu) all either out or doubtful for this evening's game.

Bobby Browne has new faces to choose from, with Tommy Byrne, Robbie Brunton and midfielder Barry Burke all having joined in midweek.

Last season: Did not meet.

League form: Bohemians: WWWWL, United: LLDLL.

Leading scorers: Bohemians: Rutherford and Crowe (three each), United: Vaughan (one).

Betting: Home: 1/3, Draw: 11/5, Away: 10/1.

Referee: J O'Neill (Waterford).

St Patrick's Athletic v Bray Wanderers (7.0)

With the possibility of a nine-point penalty for playing an unregistered player hanging over them again, St Patrick's will be hoping to catch Bray in the same sort of form they displayed against Shelbourne last weekend.Jody Lynch, John Walsh and Eddie van Boxtel are all still out, so Alan Young will stay in goal.

The hosts, meanwhile, are likely to be without Paul Osam (knee injury) while Robbie Griffin faces a late fitness test. Ugandan international Mbabazi will decide whether to play after suffering a double personal tragedy this week when his father and brother died.

Last season: Wanderers 2 St Patrick's 2. St Patrick's 1 Wanderers 1, Wanderers 4 St Patrick's 1.

League form: St Patrick's: WDWDL, Wanderers: DWDLL.

Leading scorers: St Patrick's: Kelly (two), Wanderers: O'Connor (three).

Betting: Home: 4/6, Draw: 9/4, Away: 6/4.

Referee: P McKeon (Dublin).

Longford Town v Dundalk (7.30)

Longford manager Stephen Kenny's defensive injury crisis has eased somewhat with the return of Eric Smith, but there are still plenty of problems to contend with as Wes Byrne, Shay Zellor, Paul Perth and Seβn Riordan are again missing. There is also the risk Paul McNally (who has the 'flu) will be forced out.

Dundalk are reasonably well fixed although Bryan McCrystal and Mick O'Byrne are injured while Stephen McGuinness is suspended. Stuart Connolly will also miss out due to the postponement of the tribunal hearing aimed at resolving the dispute with Athlone Town over his transfer.

Last season: Did not meet.

League form: Longford: WLLLW, Dundalk: DLDWD.

Leading scorers: Longford: Kirby (three), Dundalk: Prizeman, Keddy, Robinson, and Ward (one apiece).

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

Referee: D Hancock (Dublin).

Sunday

Cork City v Shelbourne (2.0)

Cork's James Mulligan, who missed the win over St Pat's, is fit again as is Declan Daly.

Shelbourne are without Jim Crawford (groin), Tony McCarthy (suspended), Mark Dempsey (hamstring) and probably Jim Gannon (thigh strain) which means Peter Hutton and Kevin Doherty will continue at the heart of the Dublin side's defence.

Last season: Shelbourne 2 City 0, City 1 Shelbourne 1, Shelbourne 0 City 1.

League form: City: LLDLW, Shelbourne: WDDWW.

Leading scorers: City: Cahill (three), Shelbourne:D Baker (two).

Betting: Home: 15/8, Draw: 9/4, Away: 6/5.

Referee: J Feighery (Dublin).

Shamrock Rovers v UCD (7.0)

Neither side did as well as they would have liked on Thursday night but both managers remain upbeat, insisting the performances were strong enough to merit more than the defeats by Derry and Galway respectively. Rovers boss Damien Richardson may have to draft in Stephen Grant up front after Tony Grant picked up a groin strain at the Brandywell that threatens to rule him out. Marc Kenny and Pascal Vaudequin will still be missing.

UCD manager Paul Doolin reckons his side did well against Galway, but will be hoping for a little bit more punch up front if his side are to break down the improved Rovers defence.

Last season: UCD 2 Rovers 2, Rovers 1 UCD 1, UCD 1 Rovers 1.

League form: Rovers: WWWWL, UCD: WLDW?

Leading scorers: Rovers: Grant and Francis (three apiece), UCD: R Martyn (two).

Betting: Home: 4/7, Draw: 9/4, Away: 9/2.

Referee: A Kelly (Cork).