National League Previews

Today

Finn Harps v St Patrick's Ath (7.30)

The League's best away record comes up against Harps' impressive form on home soil but the Donegalmen would look an even better bet at 4 to 1 to win if they had a full squad available. Jonathon Speak, Tom Callaghan and Shane Bradley are all still at least a week away from full fitness while Pascal Vaudequin is considered to be a 50-50 shot after pulling a hamstring in training.

For St Patrick's, Trevor Molloy is suspended and Colin Hawkins is likely to miss out with a groin strain while Ian Gilzean and Thomas Morgan are considered doubtful.

Last two seasons: 1996/97: St Patrick's 2 Harps 0, Harps 0 St Patrick's 1, St Patrick's 2 Harps 1; 97/98: Harps 1 St Patrick's 2, St Patrick's 1 Harps 0.

Recent league form: Harps: WDWWL; St Patrick's: DWDWW.

Leading scorers: Harps: Speak 8, Mulligan 5; St Patrick's: Gilzean 9, Molloy 7.

Betting: Home: 4/1, draw: 2/1, away: 4/5. Referee: J Feighery (Dublin).

Shelbourne v Drogheda Utd (7.0)

Declan Geoghegan is the home side's most serious doubt after damaging an ankle in training before the League Cup final. Mark Rutherford has the flu but may make it while Liam Kelly returns and Stephen Geoghegan will, at the very least, be on the bench.

Martin Lawlor is likely to have much the same squad available to him as for last week's defeat by St Patrick's. Rod de Khors and James Impey are still out injured while John Coady is suspended, leaving Martin Lawlor in need of the same sort of generosity from Shelbourne which his side showed the league leaders a week ago.

Last two seasons: 1996/97: Did not meet; 97/98: Shelbourne 5 Drogheda 0, Drogheda 0 Shelbourne 1.

Recent league form: Shelbourne: DLWWW; Drogheda: DLLDL.

Leading scorers: Shelbourne: S Geoghegan 12, Scully 10; Drogheda: N Reid 3.

Betting: Home: 4/9, draw: 5/2, away: 4/5. Referee: G Perry (Dublin).

Sligo Rovers v Dundalk (7.30)

Dundalk beat Sligo, 5-0, way back at the start of September, but since then it has been Rovers who have been the more impressive and Nicky Reid's side comes into this match on a high after the League Cup final in midweek.

This hosts will still be without Aled Rowland and Marcus Hallows, though, while Sean Flannery is suspended and a handful of others face fitness tests. Ian Ferguson is still recovering from a knee ligament injury but, while Peter Withnell has another game to go, David Crawley returns after suspension.

Last two seasons: 1996/97: Dundalk 2 Sligo 1, Sligo 2 Dundalk 1, Dundalk 1 Sligo 1; 97/98: Sligo 3 Dundalk 3, Dundalk 5 Sligo 0.

Recent league form: Sligo: DDWWD; Dundalk: LLDDL.

Leading scorers: Sligo: Moran 6, Jones, Ogden and hallows 3 each; Dundalk: Byrne 6, Melvin 5.

Betting: Home: 5/4, draw: 2/1, away: 9/4. Referee: P Whelan (Dublin).

Tomorrow

Cork City v Derry City (12.0)

Felix Healy bring the same squad as he had available for last week's defeat by Shelbourne, with Liam Coyle, Tom Mohan, Eamonn Doherty and Gavin Dykes all still missing at a time when Derry could do with producing a few decent results.

Cork, though, are only slightly better off with both Patsy Freyne and Dave Hill out - the latter was finally fit again until he pulled a stomach muscle in training this week - and Dave Barry will wait until the last minute before confirming his starting line-up.

Last two seasons: 1996/97: Derry 0 Cork 1, Cork 0 Derry 1, Derry 0 Cork 2; 97/98: Cork 2 Derry 0, Derry 1 Cork 1.

Recent league form: Cork: DDLDW; Derry: WDLLL.

Leading scorers: Cork: O'Brien 7, Kabia and Cahill 5 each; Derry: Hargan and Kedy 5 each.

Betting: Home: 8/11, draw: 5/2, away: 9/2. Referee: P McKeon (Dublin).

UCD v Kilkenny City (3.15)

Terry Palmer looks set to miss out for the hosts after picking up an ankle injury in the game against Dundalk which probably means that Aidan Lynch will drop back into defence with the likes of Eoin Bennis, Damien Bolger or Ciaran Martin coming into the starting line-up.

For the visitors Richie Hale is the only player certain to miss out through injury but Pierce Walsh is somewhat doubtful due to a foot injury. Morale is high, says Alfie Hale, and nobody needs to be told what is at stake as Kilkenny try to prevent their last hope of surviving the drop from being extinguished.

Last two seasons: 1996/97: Did not meet; 97/98: UCD 1 Kilkenny 2, Kilkenny 1 UCD 1.

Recent league form: UCD: DDLDW; Kilkenny: DWDLL.

Leading scorers: UCD: Sherlock 5, Griffin 4; Kilkenny: Kelly and Hale 3 each.

Betting: Home: 1/2, draw: 5/2, away: 15/2. Referee: P Mooney (Waterford). First Division

Waterford will be anxious to get back on track this weekend but they might have wished for an easier place to do it than Cobh where Ian Butterworth has them firing on all cylinders since arriving a few weeks ago.

The Ramblers' boss has a few problems for this one, though, with Willie Byrne and Keith Dalton out and several others likely to be doubtful one way or the other right up until the pre-match warm-up.

Waterford, on the other hand, are in good shape with Paul Carr returning to the fray, most probably by way of the bench, while just about everybody else is available for selection.

Elsewhere Galway need to build on last weekend's victory over Limerick at Home Farm/Everton while Dave Connell's team entertain Athlone Town tomorrow afternoon.

Betting courtesy of Paddy Power.