Weekend Previews

Caretaker Alan Matthews remains the hot favourite to replace Martin Lawlor as manager of Longford Town. writes Paul Buttner

National League: Premier Division

Longford Town v Bohemians (Flancare Park, 8.0)

Matthews refused to discuss the situation prior to tonight's game, but it is believed the club are likely to offer him the job next week.

For the moment, Matthews selects from much the same panel as the one that twice came from behind to earn a 2-2 draw at Bray last week.

Club captain Wesley Byrne remains out with tendonitis in a knee. Former Wolves trainee Seamus Crowe, last with hometown club Galway United, has been signed on a short-term contract.

Ex-Longford manager Stephen Kenny's second return to Mullollagher will scarcely be as emotional as his first as he bids for the win that would put Bohemians top of the table.

Kenny has Stephen Caffrey, Simon Webb and new signing Derek Coughlan back from suspension but waits on central defender Paul McNally, whose return to play against his former team-mates is being hampered by an unseasonal bout of 'flu.

Last season: Bohemians 1 Longford Town 1, Longford Town 2 Bohemians 0, Bohemians 1 Longford Town 0.

Referee: A. Buttimer (Cork).

Betting: Home: 3/1; Draw: 23/10; Away: 8/11.

InterToto Cup

Second round, second leg

St Patrick's Ath (0) v KAA Gent (2) (Richmond Park, 7.45)

Having enjoyed a surprising amount of possession in the first leg in Belgium last weekend, St Patrick's will be hoping to cut down on their defensive errors and convert scoring opportunities into goals as they chase a 2-0 deficit. A meeting with Spanish club Malaga awaits the winners in the third round.

Having come from a goal down to advance this far with a spirited performance against Croatian side NK Rijeka in the previous round, manager Pat Dolan has called on the St Patrick's supporters to get behind the team again and is upbeat about his side's chances despite the higher mountain they must climb.

"We certainly found home support to be of huge benefit in the first round," said Dolan. "The players have a taste now for success in Europe and we're set on keeping this European campaign running and get to Malaga next week for another massive game." Midfielder Robbie Griffin, who pulled a hamstring in the second leg against Rijeka, remains sidelined while Dolan has his fingers crossed that central defender Colm Foley and Ger McCarthy recover from respective knee and Achilles injuries.

Gent will be without winger Gunther Schepens who has had knee surgery having gone off injured towards the end of the first leg.