National League Previews

Saturday

Longford Town v Derry City (7.30)

The home side have some defensive problems as City arrive still clearly feeling a little sore about the fact that they only picked up a single point in three games against Stephen Kenny's men last season.

Wes Byrne (thigh), Eric Smith (knee) and Seβn Riordan (knee) are all expected to miss the game, while long-term absentee Paul Perth is still out of the reckoning. That means that Stuart Byrne or Alan Murphy will partner Paul McNally in central defence, while Vinny Perth is likely to play in one full-back berth or the other.

If Perth plays on the right then Seβn Prunty may stay on the left side of the defence but Kenny says he is unhappy with the way things worked out last week and he seems inclined to shift the player back on to the wing. Stephen Gavin, who filled in on the left side of midfield last week, may still get a start.

City have Darren Kelly back from international duty, while Joe Harkin is the only absentee of note. Kevin Mahon is confident that the team can secure the win that eluded them over the course of last season but with their hosts anxious to find some form themselves, it should be tightly fought.

Last season: City 0 Longford 1, Longford 1 City 0, City 0 Longford 0.

Scorers: Longford: Kirby (two); City: Hughes (two).

Form: Longford: WLLL, City: LWLW.

Betting: Home: 5/4, Draw: 2/1, Away: 2/1.

Referee: A Buttimer (Cork).

Sunday

Monaghan United v UCD (6.0)

The hosts throw new signing Ian Hill straight into the squad for the visit of UCD as both sides attempt to end runs of mixed form by showing what they think they are capable of. The former Bohemians defender is likely to start at right back.

Eddie Myers is still out, while Kenny Lundy picked up a knee injury last Monday and his absence tomorrow will open the way for Trevor Vaughan to start.

Paul Doolin, meanwhile, takes charge of the students for the first time and with just about everybody fit and available, tomorrow's team selection should give a strong indication of what the former Bohemians, Derry City and Shelbourne midfielder intends to do with the resources available to him.

He admits to being undecided regarding his own role as a player within the team, remarking that, "when I said last year that I was packing it in I meant it but obviously, there's a bit of a lack of experience in the side so we'll have to see how it goes."

He seems unlikely to start in Monaghan but Tony McDonnell may return after shaking off a groin strain and adding to the visiting side's options in central defence.

Last season: Did not meet.

Scorers: Monaghan: None, UCD: R and J Martin (one apiece).

Form: Monaghan: LLDL, UCD: DWLD.

Betting: Home: 13/8, Draw: 9/4, Away: 11/8.

Referee: D McKeon (Dublin).

Bray Wanderers v Shelbourne (3.15)

The six points Pat Devlin's side took from Shelbourne last season provided an early warning that the title defence was going to hit the rocks while the third game between the two sides produced one of the more exciting and entertaining finales of the season.

Wanderers, though, have goalkeeping problems for tomorrow's game with both John Walsh and Eddie van Boxtel ruled out by knee problems, while Jody Lynch is out for six weeks.

In the absence of Walsh and van Boxtel, Alan Young will start in goal, while Paul Forsyth, newly recruited from Blackburn Rovers, is in the squad and may well play some part over the course of the afternoon.

Shelbourne have Jim Gannon back in central defence after a two-week absence with a knee injury and Richie Baker is expected to play despite being forced to take it easy in training this week.

Tony McCarthy is suspended, though, while Jim Crawford is suffering from an ongoing groin strain that looks certain to rule him out again. In their absence Dermot Keely has few options in either central defence or midfield.

Last season: Shelbourne 0 Bray 1, Bray 3 Shelbourne 0, Shelbourne 3 Bray 2.

Scorers: Bray: O'Connor (three), Shelbourne: Geoghegan, Hutton, Haylock and Dessie Baker (one apiece).

Form: Bray: DWDL, Shelbourne: WDDW.

Betting: Home: 2/1, Draw: 9/4, Away: 11/10. Referee: H Byrne (Dublin).