National League Preview

Drogheda Utd v Waterford Utd

Derek Thornton is the only doubt for the home side whose win last week in the Brandywell was their first away from home in the top flight since 1996. "It will certainly help to build confidence," says Martin Lawlor, who added: "It's the sort of result that goes a long way towards making the lads into experienced players."

Thorntan's chest infection may well keep him out of the starting line up in which case Gerry Boyle may well be the one to take his place. Stephen Roche, meanwhile, is still reckoned to be a week or so away from being fully fit although he is expected to play a reserve team match over the weekend.

Waterford seem likely to field much the same team that lost to Galway last weekend with Mike Flanagan hoping, however, to get a little more out of them than he did during that 1-0 defeat.

"Galway deserve credit, they played very well and scored an excellent goal but the fact is that we haven't performed to our potential so far, we haven't had the start that we would have liked and we have to improve over the next few games."

Flanagan says that he is still on the look out for another player or two but is hoping that Brendan Markey, who went straight into last week's side despite not being fully match fit, will make more of an impact in his second start. Alan Reynolds and Christian Hyslop are both still ruled out by inury.

Last season: Did not meet.

Recent league form: Drogheda: LDLDW, Waterford: LLWLL.

Betting: Home: 6/4, Draw: 11/5, Away: 6/4.

Referee: P Whelan (Dublin).

Galway United v Bohemians

With Galway building a bit of momentum over the past couple of weeks thanks to fine away wins at UCD and Waterford, this looks like being a tricky one for Roddy Collins and his Bohemians side.

Last week's defeat by Shamrock Rovers was disappointing on the a number of fronts for the Dubliners who created little from play and defended poorly at set pieces. "At least we know it can't get any worse," says Collins of the overall performance but given that no fewer than 10 first team panel players have had to miss training this week with a variety of ailments it hardly promises to get all that much better either.

Of the walking wounded Collins says that he would settle for Jamie Harris and Paul Byrne playing but with only Graham O'Hanlon, Graham Doyle and Maurice O'Driscoll looking to be ruled out, the likes of Shaun Maher, Robbie Brunton, Graham Lawlor and Mark Dempsey could all recover by kick-off time to play.

Galway, meanwhile, will be without the suspended Kieran Foley. Don O'Riordan, who travelled to Dublin last Sunday to take a look at tonight's opponents, is still pondering what changes to make in the absence of the 18-year-old.

A bit of a rejig involving Brendan O'Connor, Ollie Neary or Fran Carter is a possibility but, says O'Riordan: "I'll have another look at everything before making a final decision on what to do."

Ollie Keogh continues to progress towards full match fitness but given the much improved performance of his team-mates down in Waterford last weekend O'Riordan may give him another week before bringing him back into the starting line up.

Last season: Did not meet.

Recent league form: Galway: DDLWW, Bohemians: WLWWL.

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

Referee: R O'Hanlon (Waterford).

St Patrick's Ath v Shelbourne

Another win and the champions would look to be firmly back in business but it won't be easy against the team with the only unbeaten record in the Premier Division.

Liam Buckley is better off for this game than he was in Sligo last week with Paul Osam and Shane Harte both back in training for a couple of weeks ready for a comeback.

In Osam's continued absence Donal Broughan played what seems a rather unlikely central midfield role at the Showgrounds but Buckley feels that the former Bohemians player did well, although scarcely well enough, one presumes, to keep a key figure in last season's championship winning side out if he is fit again.

Shelbourne have strong doubts about Declan Geoghegan (calf and back) as well as Garry Haylock (groin). Tommy Byrne who may well lose his place in midfield to the fit again Neil Ogden could drop back into defence if Geoghegan doesn't make it while John Powell and Dessie Baker head the queue for Haylock's place if it becomes vacant. Tony McCarthy has had to rest for a few days this week due to a minor ankle problem but it is hoped that he will be all right to play.

Last season: Shelbourne 0 St Patrick's 1, St Patrick's 2 Shelbourne 1, Shelbourne 1 St Patrick's 1.

Recent league form: St Patrick's: LDWLW, Shelbourne: DWDWW.

Betting: Home: 6/4, Draw: 11/5, Away: 6/4.

Referee: J Stacey (Athlone).

First Division Fixtures: Bray Wanderers v Home Farm Fingal, Limerick v Cobh Ramblers, St Francis v Monaghan United.

Betting courtesy of Paddy Power