Weekend Previews

Saturday

Finn Harps v Bray Wanderers (7.15) - With Declan Boyle released due to the financial situation at the club, Gavin Dykes may have to put his boots back on this evening as English defender Neil Fitzhenry is a serious doubt. Fergal Harkin (ankle) is definitely out for the hosts while Bray, still missing longer term injury victims Stephen Fox (ankle) and Pat O'Brien (groin) will be waiting until the last minute before deciding on the fitness of Mick Doohan (flu) and Colm Tresson (hamstring).

Last season: Did not meet.

Recent league form: Harps: D L D L L. Bray: L D L L W.

Leading scorers: Harps: Nesovic (five); Wanderers: J Byrne (four).

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

Referee: H Byrne (Dublin).

Kilkenny City v Longford Town (7.30) - A lot has changed at Buckley Park, admits Stephen Kenny, since Longford went there and won in the League Cup a few weeks back and goalkeeper Matt Nelson (from Boston Bulldogs) is the latest new face to be singed by Joe McGrath for the home side.

Derek McGrath (back) and Sean Murray (shoulder) look set to miss out again for the hosts but then Longford have a number of problems too in the wake of their 6-1 home defeat by Bohemians. Niall Byrne (ankle), Wesley Byrne (hamstring) and Enda Kenny (knee) are definitely out, while the manager faces the dilemma of throwing his only natural left back, Paul Perth, back in from the start so soon after the player has returned from a long lay-off.

Last season: Longford Town 1 Kilkenny City 1, City 2 Town 1, Town 3 City 1, City 2 Town 1.

Recent league form: City: L L D D L. Town: W D W D L.

Leading scorers: City: Mulcahy, Kabia, Murray, Byrne (one each) Town: S Byrne, O'Connor, Farrell and Zellor (two each).

Betting: Home: 7/4, Draw: 2/1, Away: 5/4.

Referee: A O'Regan (Cork).

Sunday

Shamrock Rovers v Cork City (3.15) - With Damien Richardson describing last week's draw at Shelbourne as his side's best performance of the season he will not want to tinker too much with the formula. Derek Tracey is certainly likely to start again after recovering from a knock that forced him out of the game at Tolka while Tony O'Dowd is back from suspension and may replace Robbie Horgan. Patsy Freyne (back) is again missing for the southerners but with Steve Gaughan having done well on his debut for City, whose main problem remains a lack of goals, Derek Mountfield's starting lineup is unlikely to be changed.

Last season: Rovers 1 City 3, City 2 Rovers 0, Rovers 1 City 2.

Recent league form: Rovers: D D L L D. City: D D L D W.

Leading scorers: Rovers: Kenny (three), Grant (two); City: Morley, Herrick, Flanagan and O'Brien (one each).

Betting: Home: 5/4, Draw: 2/1, Away: 7/4.

Referee: P McKeon (Dublin).

UCD v Derry City (3.15) - The students may start with newly signed midfielder David Quinn while Aidan Lynch is an option for Martin Moran having recovered from the flu. John Martin, however, is still laid up with a shoulder injury. Derry City are still without Joe Harkin, but Kevin Mahon does welcome back several of the regulars who missed last week's home defeat by Galway with Darren Kelly returning from international duty and Liam Coyle and Paul Hegarty having both shaken off knocks.

Last season: City 0 UCD 2, UCD 1 City 0, City 2 UCD 0.

Recent league form: UCD: L W W L L. City: W W W W L.

Leading scorers: UCD: Grogan (three), Delaney (two); City: McLoughlin, Beckett and McCaul (two each).

Betting: Home: 13/8, Draw: 2/1, Away: 11/8.

Referee: R O'Hanlon (Dublin).

Betting courtesy of Paddy Power.