National League Previews

St Stephen's Day

Premier Division

Derry City v Galway Utd (3.15)

After giving neighbours Finn Harps the usual treatment in midweek, Derry welcome a Galway United side desperate not to let the small momentum built up before the defeat by Rovers slip away.

City are still without some first division regulars. Paul Hegarty is now sidelined by a knee injury rather than his two-match suspension, and Shaun Gallagher is still a week or two away from shaking off a shin-injury. But manager Kevin Mahon hopes Johnny McIvor and Liam Coyle might be back for this game.

McIvor has the better chance of proving his fitness following a hamstring problem, but Coyle was close enough to warrant a fitness test ahead of Tuesday evening's game and so he should at least manage a place on the bench.

United will be without the suspended Darragh Sheridan but Billy Clery is back from suspension leaving Don O'Riordan with close to a full squad to choose from. At right full Ollie Keogh may well have done enough against Rovers to retain his place in the side, as may Kieran Foley up front. But Eddie Hickey will be pressing for a recall in goal.

Last two seasons: 1998/99: Did not meet; 99/00: United 0 City 2.

Recent league form: City: LDWLW; United: LWDWL.

Leading scorers: City: McIvor and McCaul (three apiece); United: Keogh and Clery (four apiece).

Betting: Home: 4/6, Draw: 12/5, Away: 100/ 30.

Referee: H Byrne (Dublin).

Drogheda v Shelbourne (3.15)

Shelbourne travel to United Park with a healthy cushion at the top of the table and their unbeaten record still intact. The Dubliners are close to full strength again. Stephen Geoghegan is still suspended but everybody who started against Sligo is available for selection. Carl Van Der Velden is banned too, but as Dermot Keely felt the need to substitute him just 28 minutes after putting him on last Friday, and given also the way the former Rushden and Diamonds midfielder reacted to the decision as he passed the bench on the way to the dressingroom, that's probably academic.

New United manager Eddie May, meanwhile, expects to have a full panel to choose from for his first game in charge although he admits to not having too much of an idea yet just who he should be choosing. For the moment, he says, Harry McCue will continue to select the starting line-up, but the players should be keen to impress their new boss. Beating the league leaders should really be beyond the home side, but then stranger things have happened and Shelbourne have had a tendency to ride their luck against poorer teams.

Last two seasons: 1998/99: Did not meet; 99/00: Shelbourne 1 United 0.

Recent league form: LDLLD; United: Shelbourne: WDWWW.

Leading scorers: United: Mulligan (seven); Shelbourne: S Geoghegan and Fenlon (four apiece).

Betting: Home: 100/30, Draw: 12/5, Away: 4/ 6.

Referee: J Stacey (Athlone).

Shamrock Rovers v UCD (2.0)

Having lost their way for a few weeks there, Rovers look to have gotten firmly back on the road, while the students are still hoping to string a few decent results together in order to halt their slide towards the danger zone.

Damien Richardson hopes to have top scorer Billy Woods back in the reckoning. Tony Cousins and Derek Tracey, however, are still a week or two away from full fitness. But the frustration of Cousins's absence is eased somewhat for the Rovers boss by the strong showing of "forgotten hero" Sean Francis last week when he scored twice against Galway.

The students also have problems, with Tony McDonnell out for some time after an operation on a badly dislocated toe. Clive Delaney is suspended and Brian Mooney will be hoping to shake the flu sufficiently to play.

Last two seasons: 1998/99: Rovers 3 UCD 0, UCD 0 Rovers 2, Rovers 0 UCD 0; 99/00: UCD 3 Rovers 0.

Recent league form: Rovers: WDLWW; UCD: LLDDW.

Leading scorers: Rovers: Woods (six); UCD: Martyn (five).

Betting: Home: 6/5, Draw: 9/4, Away: 7/4.

Referee: P McKeon (Dublin).

Betting courtesy of Paddy Power