Tonight (7.45)
Bohemians v Sligo Rovers
After Tuesday's action-packed evening at the Showgrounds Nicky Reid would probably settle for Sligo's usual point at Dalymount tonight, but the Rovers boss knows that his side need to starting beating teams other than Dundalk if they are to avoid slipping further into the relegation zone.
And given that their opponents tonight are down there with them at the moment and that they have a couple of lengthy suspensions coming up, they could do a lot worse than start this evening in Dublin.
Reid is still suspended himself, while Steve Birks is still attempting to shake off a hamstring problem that has been dogging him for a few weeks now. Otherwise, though, everybody is available for the visitors. Flu kept Fergal Harkin out last week but the Donegalman is fit again for this evening's game and will come back into the squad. Also back is Graham Lawlor, while Derek Swan appears to be almost over a groin problem and he may play some part tonight.
Robbie Brunton is ruled out by a groin injury, though, while Brian Mooney completes a two-match ban.
Last two seasons: 1997/98: Sligo 2 Bohemians 2, Bohemians 1 Sligo 1, Sligo 2 Bohemians 1; 98/ 99: Sligo 2 Bohemians 2.
Recent league form: Bohemians: LLLWL; Sligo: DDLWL.
Leading scorers: Bohemians: Swan (four), Lawlor (three); Sligo: Shannon (six), Hallows (five).
Betting: Home: 6/4, Draw: 11/5, Away: 6/4. Referee: P McKeon (Dublin).
Shelbourne v UCD
Mark Rutherford should be back for the reds tonight having been persuaded to return by Dermot Keely just a few months after the manager made it fairly clear that the winger didn't feature too prominently in his plans.
Neil Trebble is unavailable due to a bereavement back in England and so Tony Sheridan will continue up front alongside Stephen Geoghegan. At the back there are problems for Keely's side with Dave Campbell suffering from a calf strain and Tony McCarthy suspended. Damien Maher is likely to make his come-back. UCD, meanwhile, have a couple of problems themselves with Michael O'Donnell ruled out by injury. Tony McDonnell, out for the best part of two months, is back in training now but not ready yet to come into the panel and the visitors are likely to leave it late before deciding how to line out.
Last two seasons: 1997/98: UCD 2 Shelbourne 1, Shelbourne 3 UCD 1 UCD 2 Shelbourne 3; 98/99: UCD 1 Shelbourne 1.
Recent league form: Shelbourne: WLWDL; UCD: DLWLD.
Leading scorers: Shelbourne: Sheridan, Fenlon and D Baker (three apiece); UCD: Bennis (four), O'Byrne (three).
Betting: Home: 46, Draw: 12/5, Away: 7/2. Referee: R O'Hanlon (Waterford).
Betting courtesy of Paddy Power
First Division
Don O'Riordan has doubts about both Eric Lavine and Ryan Lucas ahead of this evening's visit of Cobh Ramblers but the Galway manager is hoping that at least one of them, probably Lavine, will be fit to play.
Lavine is likely to come in as a straight replacement for his compatriot if fit, but Ian Rossiter and Aubrey Dolan are both expected to keep their places.
The younger players, says O'Riordan, did well in last week's game against Longford but, despite what was said to be a strong performance by the home side, United failed to score and have now gone seven games without a win.
Cobh expect to be without Pat Maher (back) and, possibly, Anthony Kenneally (groin) for this evening's game, while Packie Kelly will probably play. Philip Long and Paul Coughlan may come in for Maher and Kenneally respectively, although, says John O'Rourke, "we'll have a look at it before the game, we have a few options and we might change things about for this game."
