Saturday
Bohemians v Cork City
(Dalymount Park, 7.0)
Pete Mahon, who is desperate for cover in defence, is hoping to sign two players on loan from Bolton Wanderers who have been over on trail at Dalymount this week. Wayne Buchanan and Alan O'Hare are both central defenders, with the former having played in a Worthington Cup game for Wanderers this season.
He is happy, however, with the return from illness of right back Brian Shelley and utility man Avery John from international duty.
The champions have just one win from their last eight games, but Mahon remains bullish about their title retention hopes. "We've been going through a bad patch but I remain confident we can turn things around and win the league."
In-form Cork, nine points behind Bohemians earlier in the season and now ahead of them in the table, have Pat Morley back from suspension, though James Mulligan remains out with an ankle injury.
Last two seasons: 2000/2001 - Bohemians 1 Cork City 1, Cork City 0 Bohemians 0, Bohemians 0 Cork City 1. 2001/2002 - Cork City 0 Bohemians 1.
Current league form: Bohemians - DDDLL; Cork City - WDWLW.
Leading league scorers: Bohemians: Crowe (eight): CP O'Brien (four).
Referee: H Byrne (Dublin)
Betting: Home: 11/10; Draw: 2/1; Away: 9/4.
Longford Town v UCD
(Flancare Park, 7.30)
Under-achieving, third from bottom of the table with no wins from their last seven games, Longford's season has failed miserably to live up to expectations.
"We've been playing quite well without getting the wins our performances deserve," says manager Stephen Kenny, who insists neither he nor his players are feeling the pressure just yet.
Longford have midfielder Alan Reynolds back from suspension, while Greg O'Halloran and Sean Prunty are also available again.
A problem area still exists up front, however, with Keith O'Connor suspended and Shay Zellor and Fergal Coleman injured. John Rogers looks set to continue alongside Eric Lavine.
UCD, five points better off than Longford, remain without skipper Alan Mahon (ankle), so player-manager Paul Doolin is likely to keep faith with the side that beat Dundalk last week.
Last two seasons: 2000/2001 - Longford Town 2 UCD 0, UCD 0 Longford Town 2, Longford Town 2 UCD 0; 2001/2002 - UCD 1 Longford Town 0.
Current league form: Longford Town - DDDDL; UCD - DDWLW.
Leading league scorers: Longford Town - Lavine (four); UCD - Martyn (four).
Referee: J Feighery (Dublin)
Betting: Home: 5/4; Draw: 2/1; Away: 2/1.
Sunday
Bray Wanderers v Galway United
(Carlisle Grounds, 3.15)
Galway manager Dave Connell has followed through on his threat of a clearout by placing five players on the transfer list. Ger Crossley, Adrian Carberry, Colin Fortune, Derek O'Brien and, somewhat surprisingly, Bobby Ryan have all been told they can go. Ryan, in particular, has taken the decision badly and has not turned up for training this week, making him a very unlikely starter tomorrow. Connell has promoted under-21s Simon Walsh and Neil Kane to the first team squad.
Bray's 35-year-old goalkeeping coach, Josh Moran, is Pat Devlin's only option as all three club 'keepers, John Walsh, Alan Young and Eddie van Boxtel, are injured.
Defender Wes Charles (knee) and striker Paul Keegan (ankle) are slight doubts but should be okay to start. Jody Lynch's long battle back from injury is over as he joins the squad for the first time this season.
Last two seasons: 2000/2001 - Bray Wanderers 0 Galway United 1, Galway United 2 Bray Wanderers 2, Bray Wanderers 2 Galway United 1; 2001/2002 - Galway United o Bray Wanderers 2.
Current league form: Bray Wanderers - WDDWL; Galway United - LLDLL.
Leading league scorers: Bray Wanderers: Byrne (six); Galway United: Murphy (two).
Referee: R O'Hanlon (Waterford)
Betting: Home: 2/5; Draw: 5/2; Away: 6/1.
Monaghan United v Derry City
(Century Homes Park, 3.0).
"When we played Derry earlier this season it was men against boys," says Monaghan manager Bobby Browne, "but I'd like to think we've grown up a little since then and are playing far better." New American signing Paddy McConville, a midfielder, can stake a claim for a place on the bench tomorrow with a good performance for the under-21s this afternoon.
Paul Shiels returns to Monaghan's midfield following a car accident, with captain and left back James O'Callaghan also back from a suspension. Derek McGrath and Brian Mooney, who both played against Shelbourne last week despite not being fully fit, came through unscathed and should start again.
Last two seasons: 2000/2001 - Did not meet; 2001/2002 - Derry City 2 Monaghan United 0.
Current league form: Derry City - DWLWW; Monaghan United - DDLWL.
Leading league scorers: Derry City: Hughes and T McCallion (three each); Monaghan United: Vaughan (three).
Referee: D Hancock (Dublin).
Betting: Home: 7/2; Draw: 9/4; Away: 4/6
