Saturday
Finn Harps v Cork City (7.45)
City make the long journey north knowing that they badly need all three points if they are going to keep their fading championship hopes alive. "The ball is clearly in Shelbourne's court at this stage," admitted Dave Barry, "but if we are going to keep the pressure on them then we need to string four or five decent games together and with only 11 left we've got to do that sooner rather than later."
Unfortunately for Barry, the injury problems persist with Dave Hill out for another month after having a cartilage operation this week while Declan Daly (medial ligament), Anthony Buckley (ankle) and Nowl Mooney (toe) are all ruled out.
On the brighter side, Kelvin Flanagan comes back into the reckoning after a hamstring problem and he may well play a part this evening as City press for their third win of the season over Harps.
Gavin Dykes has a full squad to choose from. Johnny Kenny returns from an ankle injury but will probably have to settle for a place on the bench.
Last two seasons: 1998/99: City 2 Harps 0, Harps 1 City 1, City 2 Harps 1; 99/00: Harps 1 City 2, City 2 Harps 0.
Recent league form: Harps: LDLLW; City: DLWDD.
Leading scorers: Harps: Mulligan (eight); City: Morley (13).
Betting: Home: 7/4, Draw: 9/4, Away: 5/4.
Referee: G Perry (Dublin).
Sligo Rovers v UCD (7.30)
So bad has it become at the Showgrounds that when Tommy Cassidy was told on Monday night that Wesley Charles, who had been due to return this week from suspension, had pulled his hamstring in training, he thought it was "a wind up".
Given that Padraig Moran (thigh), Paul Bonner (rib), Ian Lynch (groin), Steve Birks (suspension) and Jim Sheridan (knee) are all out too it's not hard to understand Cassidy's frustration with his plight.
"They'll come up here under no pressure whatsoever while we really need something out of this which isn't the best way to be," Cassidy said.
The students are still talking about putting distance between themselves and the relegation battle but it would take a spectacular collapse for them to get into trouble at this stage.
Martin Moran and Theo Dunne have Mick O'Byrne back for this evening's game but Ciaran Kavanagh is suspended, which probably means a run in midfield for either Andy Noonan or Aidan Lynch while Peter Hanrahan (achilles) is very doubtful and Glen Fitzpatrick (ankle) is out.
Last two seasons: 1998/99: UCD 2 Rovers 0; Rovers 0 UCD 1, UCD 0 Rovers 0;99/00: Rovers 1 UCD 2, UCD 1 Rovers 1.
Recent league form: Rovers: LDWLD; UCD: WLWWD.
Leading scorers: Rovers: Moran (11); UCD: Martyn (five).
Betting: Home: 100/30, Draw: 9/4, Away: 8/11.
Referee: R O'Hanlon (Waterford).
Sunday
Drogheda United v Shamrock Rovers (3.15)
The comings and goings continue at United Park where Fergal Coleman has been allowed to return to his former club, Galway United, while a replacement striker David Thomas has been drafted in from Wales.
Thomas, a target man, arrives from Cardiff (where he played with Christian Roberts) having been transferred twice in a couple of years for a total of £150,000. Now the 24-year-old is looking to get his career back on track after failing so far to live up to his potential.
Eddie May, meanwhile, has three out suspended (Darren O'Keeffe, Jamie Impey and Alan Murphy), but Greg O'Dowd is available again after serving his ban.
Rovers, led by Damien Richardson, continue to have problems on the injury front with Tony O'Dowd, Terry Palmer and Sean Francis all laid up for the short trip up the M1. Tony Cousins will also be rested in an attempt to get him completely right for the rest of the season with the result that Anthony Stewart may get another run up front at some point with Brian Byrne possibly starting there once again.
Last two seasons: 1998/99: Did not meet; 99/ 00: United 0 Rovers 4, Rovers 4 United 1.
Recent league form: United: DDLDL; Rovers: WLWLD.
Leading scorers: United: M Byrne (five); Rovers: Woods (seven).
Betting: Home: 7/2, Draw: 12/5, Away: 4/6.
Referee: P McKeon (Dublin).
Betting courtesy of Paddy Power
