Shelbourne v Monaghan United
Tolka Park (7.45)
Having conceded four but scored six last weekend, it's a little difficult to know just what Dermot Keely should do ahead of the visit of Monaghan United but the feeling is he will stick with the side that dominated and were dominated for different spells of what was a remarkable game. Richie Baker is still suffering from the flu but Brian Byrne is approaching full fitness after several weeks out with a hamstring problem.
Monaghan have, as usual, much more to worry about than that. For a start, James O'Callaghan and John Carroll are suspended while Derek McGrath, Mick Scully, Trevor Vaughan and Eddie Meier are again struggling with a variety of injuries.
Last two seasons: 00/01: Did not meet; 01/02: United 0 Shelbourne 1.
Leading scorers: Shelbourne: R Baker (four); United: Vaughan (three).
League form: Shelbourne: LDWLW; United: LDDLW.
Betting: Home: 1/4, Draw: 7/2, Away: 9/1.
Referee: H Whoriskey (Dublin).
Galway United v St Patrick's Athletic
Terry Land Park (7.45)
The financial situation has been biting at Terryland Park again over the past few days with United manager Dave Connell having to inform Mike Keane, Paul Thorntan and Shane Watkins they are free to leave. All three, however, have apparently expressed their desire to stay on and it is hoped something may be worked out before this evening's visit of St Patrick's.
With only six points in the bag so far, Connell admits his side face an uphill task if they are to avoid automatic relegation and the United boss estimates the team needs to average 18 points from each of the remaining two rounds of games if they are to survive. This evening they are without suspended midfielder Alan Murphy who will be replaced by Ger Crossley or Colin Fortune.
The visitors have problems of their own these days, of course, although the form of their team is hardly one of them with Pat Dolan's side arriving in the west off the back of an impressive sequence of results. Colm Foley (ankle), Martin Russell (groin) and Robbie Griffin (ankle) have all been forced to miss training this week.
Last two seasons: 00/01: United 1 St Patrick's 1, St Patrick's 3 United 0, United 2 St Patrick's 2; 01/02: St Patrick's 3 United 0.
Leading scorers: United: Murphy (two); St Patrick's: Osam and Mbabazi (five apiece).
League form: United: L L L D L; St Patrick's: W D W W D.
Betting: Home: 4/1, Draw: 11/5, Away: 8/13.
Referee: A Kelly (Cork).
Shamrock Rovers v Bray Wanderers
Richmond Park (7.45)
Rovers boss Damien Richardson will have to wait to check on the fitness of Seβn Francis and Pat Scully before naming his side but, as his club makes what will be its last move at home before settling out in Tallaght, it is hoped the leaders might have both available for this game.
Francis is the more doubtful of the pair with the striker having been forced to come off early with a hamstring problem in Monday's defeat of Galway. If he does miss out then Stephen Grant will against start up front while Pat Deans would be called into the side if Scully is forced out with a thigh strain.
Bray have a string of injury worries with Wesley Charles (hamstring), Paul Keegan (dead leg) and Eddie Gormley (groin) all carrying knocks. And Eddie van Boxtel is set to start in goal after Alan Young picked up a hamstring while deputising for the injured John Walsh.
There is some good news, though, in the form of Colm Tresson's return while Jody Lynch is approaching fitness again after what has been a long lay off and he could even find himself on the bench in Inchicore this evening.
Last two seasons: 00/01: Wanderers 2 Rovers 2, wanderers 1 Rovers 1, Rovers 1 Wanderers 2; 01/02:
Leading scorers: Rovers: (Francis (seven); Wanderers: Byrne (six).
League from: Rovers: W L W L W; Wanderers: W W D D W.
Betting: Home: 11/8, Draw: 11/5, Away: 13/8.
Referee: H Byrne (Dublin).
Betting courtesy of Paddy Power.
