National League

Bohemians v St Patrick's - Dalymount Park 7.45

Bohemians v St Patrick's - Dalymount Park 7.45

The confidence of the home side has been growing steadily since their European exploits against Kairserslautern and with striker Glen Crowe in outstanding form, Roddy Collins will be hopeful that his men can put a halt their opponents' recent revival.

Crowe's goal-scoring exploits earned him the Eircom sponsored Soccer Writers Association of Ireland Player of the Month and the 22-year-old striker has already staked a claim to the October prize with the hat-trick against Longford last weekend.

"This has been the first time since I went to Wolves that I've been playing regularly and it's great," says the striker. "It has been a great boost to my confidence knowing that I'm likely to be playing each week and every striker needs confidence to score goals."

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While Crowe is flying, Collins will be without Dave Hill and Dave Morrison for this evening's game as both are suspended while the manager himself starts a two-match ban from the dugout.

St Patrick's, meanwhile, will be missing Robbie Griffin who has an achilles tendon problem. Ger McCarthy (calf strain) faces a late fitness test.

Last season: Bohemians 0 St Patrick's Athletic 0, St Patrick's 1 Bohemians 3, Bohemians 0 St Patrick's 1.

Recent league form: Bohemians: DLLWW; St Patrick's: LDLWW.

Leading scorers: Bohemians: Crowe (nine); St Patrick's: Byrne (three).

Betting: Home: 8/13, Draw: 9/4, Away: 4/1.

Referee: J Feighery (Dublin).

Galway United v Shelbourne - Terryland Park 7.45

Having won a league match at the Brandywell for the first time, United take on the champions at home in Terryland where they'll be hoping to go one better than the three draws they managed against Dermot Keely's side last season.

Kieran Foley is likely to miss the game with a shoulder injury but United should otherwise be at full strength for a game which is expected to draw the club's biggest league gate in a few years.

Llewellyn Riley, the captain of Barbados, who has been signed to play up front alongside Eric Lavine will be at the game although he will not come into contention for a place in the starting line-up until next week.

Shelbourne have doubts about several regulars with Owen Heary (concussion and knee), James Keddy (calf) and Davy Byrne (knee) all facing tests and Pat Scully and Richie Foran amongst those affected by a chest infection. Whatever the line-up, Keely will be looking to his team to maintain their impressive away form with three wins from three games and not a goal conceded. Given Galway's form of late, it will be an achievement to maintain the run.

Last season: Shelbourne 1 United 1, United 0 Shelbourne 0, Shelbourne 1 United 1.

Recent league form: United: WDWDW; Shelbourne: WWWWD.

Leading scorers: United: Lavine (eight); Shelbourne: Foran (five).

Betting: Home: 100/30, Draw: 9/4, Away: 8/11.

Referee: J O'Neill (Waterford).

Betting courtesy of Paddy Power.

Emmet Malone

Emmet Malone

Emmet Malone is Work Correspondent at The Irish Times