Today
Bray Wanderers v Shelbourne, (Carlisle Grounds, 7.45) Bray's Barry O'Connor starts a three-match ban as Wanderers continue to struggle to put out their best side.
Manager Pat Devlin had hoped to have Kieran O'Brien back in the team this weekend but he broke a bone in his foot in a reserve match during the week and is out for another stretch.
Worrying times for Shelbourne who now haven't won in five games and have lost close season signing, James keddy, for the season with a cruciate ligament injury.
Club captain Pat Scully is back from suspension, though Shelbourne do have a slight doubt over Tony Sheridan (groin).
Last season: Did not meet.
Recent form: Bray: DLLWL; Shelbourne: DDDDL.
Leading league scorers: Bray: Byrne and Smyth (one each); Shelbourne: Sheridan, McCarthy and Fenlon (one each).
Betting: Home: 11-4, Draw: 9-4, Away: 5-6.
Referee: P McKeon (Dublin).
Cork City v Dundalk, (Turner's Cross, 3.00)
Cork City wait on midfielder Patsy Freyne who aggravated a rib injury in last week's win over Bohemians as they look for their fourth successive win.
Dundalk hope to have Ray Campbell and Shane Reddish in contention for places as they strive to lift themselves off the bottom of the table.
Last season: Cork City 3 Dundalk 0, Dundalk 1 Cork City 0, Cork City 0 Dundalk 0.
Recent form: Cork: WWWWW; Dundalk: DDLLD.
Leading league scorers: Cork: Coughlan, Flanagan, Kabia, Dobbs (two); Dundalk: Withnell and Ward (one each).
Betting: Home: 1-2, Draw: 12-5, Away: 11-2.
Referee: R O'Hanlon (Waterford).
Finn Harps v UCD, (Ballybofey, 7.30)
Perhaps one of the more interesting encounters of this week's programme with an impressive Finn Harps hosting a rejuvenated UCD.
Harps' manager, Charlie McGeever, happy with taking a point and keeping a clean sheet at Shelbourne last week, nonetheless felt his side could have won it.
UCD wait on 18-year-old midfielder, Robert Dunne, who injured his knee in last week's convincing win over Sligo.
Last season: Finn Harps 1 UCD 0, UCD 0 Finn Harps 0, Finn Harps 1 UCD 2.
Recent form: Finn Harps: DDWLD; UCD: LDLDW.
Leading league scorers: Finn Harps: Mulligan (two); UCD: Bennis, Dunne and Lynch (one each).
Betting: Home: 11-8, Draw: 11-5, Away: 13-8.
Referee: P Whelan (Dublin).
Sligo Rovers v Waterford United, (Showgrounds, 7.30)
Sligo manager Nicky Reid will be looking for a vast improvement from his side who, as he put it, "where all over the shop" during last week's 2-0 defeat at UCD.
Reid isn't helped by a lengthening list of injuries with Ian Lynch (groin), Brian Hetherston (thigh) and Matt Hare (knee) having joined Padraig Moran on the treatment table.
Waterford manager Tommy Lynch has told his players that they can't afford to "switch-off" as they did last week in losing at home to St Patrick's as they concentrate on making another winning visit to the north-west.
Last season: Did not meet.
Recent form: Sligo Rovers: WDWDL; Waterford United: DWWWL.
Leading league scorers: Sligo Rovers: Hallows (two), Waterford United: Dully, Griffin and Power (one each).
Betting: Home: 5-4, Draw: 9-4, Away: 7-4.
Referee: A O'Regan (Cork).
Tomorrow
Shamrock Rovers v Derry City, (Tolka Park, 3.15)
Rovers have both Paul Whelan and Matt Britton suspended which should mean a first league start for central defender Terry Palmer since his close season move from UCD with Mark Kenny and Mark O'Neill also coming back into the side.
There will be debutant goalkeepers at either end with new Rovers signing, Tony O'Dowd, facing his old club while Derry bring in his replacement, David Platt, who had a spell in the National League with Finn Harps a few years ago.
Derry striker Liam Coyle has a hamstring injury which looks like keeping him out of the game while Eamonn Doherty (calf) is also doubtful.
Last season: Shamrock Rovers 1 Derry City 0, Derry City 0 Shamrock Rovers 1, Shamrock Rovers 3 Derry City 1.
Recent form: Shamrock Rovers: WDLWD; Derry City: WDLLW.
Leading goal scorers: Shamrock Rovers: Kenny, Murray and Sherlock (one each); Derry City: L. Coyle, Beckett, Hargan, Gilmour, McCallion, McHugh (all one each).
Betting: Home: 6-4, Draw; 11-5, Away: 6-4.
Referee: T Tully (Cork).
First Division
Today: James Coll hopes to be given clearance to make his player/managerial debut for Athlone Town at home to Cobh Ramblers at St Mel's Park tonight.
"Our 3-0 defeat at Home Farm last week wasn't so much a baptism of fire as a real eye opener to what I've got at the club and where I need to improve," said Coll.
In perhaps the match of the weekend in the division, Kilkenny City take on Longford Town.
Tomorrow: Galway United, revelling in their League Cup win at Shelbourne on Tuesday night, must guard against complacency when facing an understrength St Francis at Baldonnel.
Drogheda have Alan Murphy starting a two-match ban for their visit to Monaghan. Martin Lawlor's side are joint second thanks to three wins on the spin.
Monaghan give a debut to defender Robbie Best whom they've secured on loan from Bohemians.
Home Farm/Everton have signed John Flanagan from Drogheda and he's set to make his debut against bottom side Limerick.
Betting courtesy of Paddy Power.
