National League Previews

Friday (7.45)

Bohemians v Shamrock Rovers

Roddy Collins knows that his side need to start winning again if they are to have any chance of catching Shelbourne and he is likely to throw everything at Rovers who could badly do with the three points themselves.

Derek Swan is doubtful with an ankle injury and Ray Kelly is likely to start up front alongside Glen Crowe while Avery John has returned from international duty and will go straight back into the line-up.

The visitors expect to be without Marc Kenny for the rest of the season after the midfielder damaged cartilage ligaments while Brian Byrne hurt his shoulder in a minor accident and is ruled out of this evening's game. Derek Treacy will come in for Kenny and Shane Robinson will replace Byrne while Graham Lawlor will return to face his old club.

Last two seasons: 1998/99: Rovers 3 Bohemians 0, Bohemians 1 Rovers 1, Rovers 1 Bohemians 1; 99/00: Bohemians 1 Rovers 3, Rovers 0 Bohemians 1.

Recent league form: Bohemians: DDDWD; Shamrock Rovers: DDDDL.

Leading scorers: Bohemians: Crowe (eight); Shamrock Rovers: Francis and Woods (seven apiece).

Betting: Home: 4/5, Draw: 9/4, Away: 3/1.

Referee: G Perry (Dublin).

Shelbourne v Cork City

Steve Williams may be out for another two weeks because of his stomach problems while Declan Geoghegan's groin strain looks likely to keep him sidelined until at least next weekend.

Stephen Geoghegan, Mark Hutchison and Pat Fenlon (neck, dead leg and ankle respectively) are all rated as doubtful, too, but Dermot Keely will be hoping to field an unchanged side from the one that beat Bluebell in midweek.

City, meanwhile, still have a couple of injury problems in defence and central midfield. Gareth Cronin and Patsy Freyne are both carrying ankle problems that may keep them out.

Freyne played in a Munster senior league match last weekend but hasn't trained since, but Dave Barry reckons both still might make it after late fitness tests.

Last two seasons: 1998/99: City 2 Shelbourne 1, Shelbourne 3 City 3, City 2 Shelbourne 1; 99/00: Shelbourne 3 City 2, City 1 Shelbourne 2.

Recent league form: Shelbourne: WDDWW; City: DDDDD.

Leading scorers: Shelbourne: S Geoghegan and Fenlon (six apiece); City: Morley (13).

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

Referee: R O'Hanlon (Waterford).

Waterford United v Galway United

The two McGraths, Tim and Derek, are both out with hamstring and groin strains respectively while former UCD player Robert Griffin has a knee injury that leaves him doubtful. If he doesn't make it, Gerard Stirling will come back into Mike Flanagan's starting line-up.

Also out is Stephen Grant, the Ireland under-21 international striker who only joined the club last autumn. The Offalyman, who had stints at Shamrock Rovers and Stockport County, has now moved on to the United States where he is to play Major League Soccer.

Galway, meanwhile, have precious little to complain of with Don O'Riordan in a position to stick with more or less the same players that have suffered just one defeat in six league games.

Michael Quirke is still out but otherwise there is a clean bill of health for the side whose confidence will be high after last weekend's defeat of Finn Harps in the cup at Ballybofey.

Last two seasons: 1998/99: Did not meet; 99/00: Waterford 1 Galway 2, Galway 0 Waterford 0.

Recent league form: Waterford: LDDWW; Galway: WLDDD.

Leading scorers: Waterford: Grant (five); Galway: Lavine (six).

Betting: Home: 11/8, Draw: 2/1, Away: 7/4.

Referee: J Stacey (Athlone).

Betting courtesy of Paddy Power