National League: Premier Division Previews

Emmet Malone previews the clashes in tonight's National League Premier Division

(all 7.45)

Dundalk v Derry City

Martin Murray's Dundalk side need to keep their unbeaten run going if they are to increase the pressure on Longford Town and with Derry City having lost 3-0 in midweek this may not be a bad time to get the northerners.

The Oriel Park club will be without Chris Lawless and Aaron Callaghan, both of whom are suspended, as well as Jonathan Prizeman who had his appendix taken out on the day of the Rovers FAI Cup win. Otherwise, though, they are at full strength.

Derry City are like to rest Sean Hargan (broken bone in foot) and Darren Kelly (groin) both of whom played against St Patrick's Athletic while Gareth McGlynn is out with ankle ligament damage after a poor challenge by Paul Osam.

Floyd Gilmour, Declan McBride and Gareth Mullan all come into the squad.

Last two seasons: 00/01: Did not meet; 01/02: Dundalk 1 City 0, City 1 Dundalk 1.

Leading scorers: Dundalk: Haylock and Robinson (four apiece); City: Coyle and Hughes (eight apiece).

League form: Dundalk: L D D W D; City: W W D W L.

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

Referee: P Whelan (Dublin).

Shelbourne v UCD

Paul Doolin reckons that Shelbourne have shown themselves to be good enough to win this league but his priority this weekend will be to put another one over on his former boss, Dermot Keely, by winning for the second time at Tolka Park this season.

The visitors have Mick O'Donnell and Alan Mahon back from suspension and the latter is likely to reclaim his place in defence but John Martin has a back problem and is reckoned to be very doubtful for the encounter.

Shelbourne should have John Burns back with the youngster having recovered from an inner ear problem sustained after a bad clash of heads a few weeks back.

Kevin Doherty's early exit against Rovers after his attempt to return from a rib injury means that he will again be sidelined.

Last two seasons: 00/01: UCD 0 Shelbourne 1, Shelbourne 3 UCD 1, UCD 1 Shelbourne 2; 01/02: Shelbourne 0 UCD 1, UCD 2 Shelbourne 3.

Leading scorers: Shelbourne: Geoghegan (nine), Crawford (seven); UCD: R Martin (eight).

League form: Shelbourne: D W L W W; UCD: W W W D W.

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

Referee: A Kelly (Cork).

Galway United v Longford Town

The remainder of the season may just be a matter of playing for pride for Galway United's players but they have the opportunity to have a huge influence on what is happening just above them in the table this evening when Longford Town come looking for a much needed win.

The home side's results have become much worse of late but their performances have been better than their string of defeats might suggest.

Two goals against Derry City last week should have ended the run and even without the injured Jumbo Brennan this evening they will be hopeful of picking up something.

Longford have Paul McNally and top scorer Eric Lavine back from suspension and despite a "few niggling problems" Martin Lawlor expects to have everybody bar the long-term absentees available when he and his players go in search of a win that the manager says would put his side "in the driving seat" with regard to finishing outside the bottom three.

Last two seasons: 00/01: Longford 2 United 2, United 1 Longford 0, Longford 2 United 1; 01/02: United 1 Longford 1, Longford 1 United 2.

Leading scorers: United: Murphy (11); Longford: Lavine (10).

League form: United: L L L L L; Longford: W L L W L.

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

Referee: P McKeon (Dublin).

St Patrick's Ath v Shamrock Rvs

On Tuesday night the St Patrick's manager Pat Dolan is reported to have pulled off the fairly amazing feat of getting his players out onto the pitch for the game against Derry City without any of them hearing about the trouble that was brewing for the club over the Mbabazi registration issue. The story goes that Liam Coyle told Paul Osam what had happened during the match.

The task of keeping his players focused this evening will be even more difficult but Dolan does at least seem to have the minor consolation of once again having a virtually full squad to choose from.

Rovers will again be without key central defender Pat Scully who will not play before the summer because of a hamstring problem.

Daire Kavanagh joins him on the sidelines with a thigh strain but Greg Costello should be back after missing the Shelbourne game with an ankle injury.

Last two seasons: 00/01:Rovers 1 St Patrick's 2, St Patrick's 0 Rovers 1, Rovers 1 St Patrick's 1; 01/02: St Patrick's 2 Rovers 1, Rovers 0 St Patrick's 0.

Leading scorers: St Patrick's: Mbabazi (13); Rovers: T Grant and Francis (12 apiece).

League form: St Patrick's: D W W W W; Rovers: D L L W L.

Betting: Home: 10/11, Draw: 9/4, Away: 12/5.

Referee: H Byrne (Dublin).

Bray Wanderers v Bohemians

With Bray's relegation fears having been ended last weekend Pat Devlin's players can finally relax after what has been a surprisingly tough campaign for them. For Bohemians, though, there is still the chance of winning a place in Europe and so Stephen Kenny's side will arrive intent on improving on the scoreless draw they achieved here before Christmas.

Stephen Fox is the home side's major doubt with a knee injury while Mick Doohan is both injured and suspended. Jody Lynch looks set to start.

Bohemians are without Mark Dempsey (knee) and Trevor Molloy and Simon Webb (both suspended). Colin Hawkins is also out as is Wayne Russell. Kenny will face his usual array of selection dilemmas particularly in midfield where Fergal Harkin's return has added to the options.

Last two seasons: 00/01: Bohemians 3 Wanderers 1, Wanderers 3 Bohemians 1, Bohemians 1 Wanderers 0; 01/02: Wanderers 0 Bohemians 0, Bohemians 2 Wanderers 0.

Leading scorers: Wanderers: Byrne (13); Bohemians: Crowe (18).

League form: Wanderers: D L W W W; Bohemians: D W D W W.

Betting: Home: 2/1, Draw: 9/4, Away: 11/10.

Referee: E Barr (Dublin).

Betting courtesy of Paddy Power