Today
Finn Harps v Bohemians (7.30)
The last four meetings between these two sides have produced 17 goals and Finn Harps have managed six on the three occasions that Bohemians have come north since the Ballybofey club was promoted.
This time the form of James Mulligan and the fact that Tom Mohan and Jonathan Speak each managed two last week would probably be enough to give confidence to the home side boss Charlie McGeever, although there are problems too.
Declan Boyle (groin) is rated as 50-50, Paddy McGrenaghan (ankle) as less likely to play than that and John Gerard McGettigan (back) is definitely out. On the brighter side Eamonn Kavanagh is back from suspension.
For Bohemians Derek Swan is likely to be missed again, the striker is still recovering from a groin injury, but things will look a good deal worse up front if Graham Lawlor, who has six goals from the last six outings, doesn't shake off a hamstring problem in time to play.
Peter Hanrahan will start again after getting two against UCD last week but Brian Mooney is missing due to suspension and Fergal Harkin may return to the starting line up for the Dubliners.
Last two seasons: 1997/98: Bohemians 4 Harps 2, Harps 3 Bohemians 2, Bohemians 1 Harps 0; 98/99: Bohemians 2 Harps 3.
Recent league form: Harps: LLDDW; Bohemians: WLLLW.
Leading scorers: Finn Harps: Mulligan (six), Speak (three); Bohemians: Swan (four), Lawlor (three).
Betting: Home: 11/10, Draw: 9/4, Away: 2/1.
Referee: H Byrne (Dublin).
Sligo Rovers v Dundalk (7.30)
Both of these could do with a win at this stage. Dundalk appear to have come a long way in terms of sorting out their defensive problems and will travel to the Showgrounds tomorrow hoping to keep a fourth consecutive clean sheet in the league.
Over the few weeks manager Jim McLaughlin hopes to have Noel Melvin, David Hoey and, most crucially, Brian Byrne (who is now back training) available again but for the moment David Ward, Michael Harte or Kevin Brady will come in for Withnell with Ray Campbell likely to pushed forward into the vacant striker's role.
Sligo don't inspire too much fear themselves just now with Nicky Reid's side looking for their first win in 11 games. Reid is still without Conor O'Grady (trapped nerve) and is now missing Sean Flannery (concussion) but Brian Hetherston has recovered from the flu and may well make the bench.
Last two seasons: 1997/98: Sligo 3 Dundalk 3, Dundalk 5 Sligo 0, Sligo 3 Dundalk 3; 98/99: Dundalk 0 Sligo 2.
Recent league form: Sligo: LLDDL; Dundalk: LLWDD.
Leading scorers: Sligo: Shannon (five), Hallows (three); Dundalk: Withnell (three).
Betting: Home: 11/8, Draw: 9/4, Away: 6/4.
Referee: T Tully (Cork).
Tomorrow
Cork City v Bray Wanderers (2.0)
Just when Pat Devlin's side could do with rebuilding their confidence a little by picking up a decent win, they have to follow their worst spell of the season by heading to Cork where the home side haven't even gone close to losing so far.
Jody Byrne, who picked up a knee injury in the 6-2 defeat by Harps last weekend, is the visitors' main worry.
City have Declan Daly back from suspension but Derek Coughlan has been struggling with a knee problems since returning from international duty himself and the young central defender could miss out.
Dave Barry is happy with the way John Caulfield and Gerald Dobbs performed in last week's 3-0 win and there are unlikely to be any changes in that department.
Last two seasons: 1997/98: Did not meet; 98/99: Bray 0 Cork 1. Recent league form: Cork: WLWWW; Bray: WDLLL.
Leading scorers: Cork: Cahill (six), Flanagan, Coughlan, Dobbs and Caulfield (all four); Bray: Byrne (five).
Betting: Home: 4/11, Draw: 3/1, Away: 6/1. Referee: J Stacey (Athlone).
UCD v Waterford United (3.15)
John Frost's hernia operation earlier this week will force Mike Flanagan into altering the side that drew with Shelbourne last week but the recently arrived United boss reckons that that will be about the extent of the meddling for the trip to Dublin.
UCD, meanwhile, will be looking to maintain their fine home form although Dr Tony O'Neill made it clear that they are not taking anything for granted. "We would be hoping to keep on doing well in Belfield but that's not to say that we are happy to simply fall into a pattern of not doing well elsewhere."
Last two seasons: 1997/98: Did not meet; 98/99: Waterford 1 UCD 0. Recent league form: UCD: LDLWL; Waterford: LWWLD.
Leading scorers: UCD: Bennis (four), O'Byrne (two); Waterford: Dully and Wood (two apiece).
Betting: Home: 11/8, Draw: 2/1, Away: 7/4. Referee: A O'Regan (Cork).
First Division
Of tonight's three First Division games, the visit of Limerick to third placed Cobh looks to be the most interesting with Ramblers looking to bounce back from last week's defeat at Longford and Dave Connell's men looking to extend a run of just one defeat in 10 games.
John O'Rourke will probably stick with the team beaten at the Strokestown Road if he can for the Ramblers boss insists that his side played well against the leaders and might have had at least a draw from the game.
Fixtures: Athlone Town v Monaghan United, Cobh Ramblers v Limerick (7.0), Home Farm Everton v St Francis.
Betting courtesy of Paddy Power.
