SOCCER/LEAGUE OF IRELAND PREVIEWS:THOUGH WINNING your home games and picking up points on the road may be a professed recipe for success, you sense Bohemians would be hoping for a reversal of fortune soon.
Pat Fenlon's side have won their four away games, including tough trips to arch-rivals Shamrock Rovers and reigning champions Drogheda United. Their poor home form has, however, seen them drop five points from their three games at Dalymount, and they'll be keen to start putting it right against Derry City tonight.
"I know a lot of the players at Derry and I believe that they will be in the shake-up at the end of the league campaign," said Fenlon, who this time last year was manager at the Brandywell.
The win at Drogheda last Sunday will have instilled added confidence in his players, but Fenlon stressed the importance of an improvement in Phibsborough: "We've got to follow up these results with home victories."
Provided Conor Powell is passed fit following a heavy knock at United Park, Fenlon is expected to name an unchanged side.
Paddy McCourt won't feature for Derry because of a back injury. Clive Delaney's suspension should result in Steven Gray moving to central defence with Aaron Callaghan coming in at left-back. Mark McCrystal returns to the squad but may only make the bench.
Darren Quigley, Seán Hargan, Kevin Deery and Sammy Morrow remain out injured for a Derry side manager Stephen Kenny admitted, after last week's defeat at Bray, had lost its spark of earlier in the season.
"Before the start of the season I said that to have a successful year you need to finish ahead of Drogheda," said the Cork City manager, Alan Mathews, ahead of tonight's other big clash, at Turner's Cross. "I would not for one minute write this Drogheda side off."
With Dave Mulcahy still sidelined with a groin strain and a calf injury hampering Gareth Farrelly, Mathews selects from the same squad as Cork defend the only unbeaten start in the top flight.
"Coming on the back of Sunday's (defeat) . . . we'll need to push for the win," said Drogheda manager Paul Doolin, who is without midfielder Stuart Byrne and striker Ibrahima Iyane-Thiam through suspension. Defender Brian Shelley is nursing a knock from Sunday and is a slight doubt while both Shaun Maher and Guy Bates remain sidelined with knee and hip injuries respectively.
Captain Alan Carey returns from injury for Cobh Ramblers against UCD at St Colman's Park.
Buoyed by recent results against Shamrock Rovers and St Patrick's Athletic, in the League Cup, UCD travel without defender Alan McNally following the death of his father. Midfielder Brian King (shin) is manager Pete Mahon's only injury doubt.
Jeff Kenna faces a number of selection concerns ahead of his debut as Galway United manager at home to Bray Wanderers.
Wes Charles is suspended while fellow defender Regi Nooitmeer needs a late fitness test. John Russell, Alan Keane and Ciarán Foley are ruled out with injuries.
Bray have problems of their own; defender Kevin Doherty's hamstring is playing up, and midfielder Mark Duggan is doubtful with a knee injury. Full-back Ronan Ivory and midfielder Gary McCabe return to the squad.
After conceding 10 goals in four straight defeats without scoring, Finn Harps could do with a win over Sligo Rovers at Ballybofey.
Manager Paul Hegarty continues without Tony Shields and Jonathan Minnock while fellow defender Marc Mukendi is a doubt with a groin strain.
In the absence of Stephen Feeney (hamstring), Fahrudin Kuduzovic should start for Sligo.
