National League Previews

Shamrock Rvs v Bohemians (7.35)

Both teams have injury worries as they go into the first televised game of the season although in the present circumstances the hosts will not be complaining too much about being unsettled.

Mick Byrne has doubts about the availability of three players with Derek Treacy and Tommy Dunne (knee and hip respectively) both likely to sit this evening's contest out while Jason Colwell, who missed the draws with Derry and Waterford due to a hip problem, does stand an outside chance of featuring as does Brendan Markey.

If Colwell doesn't start then it's likely to be the team that started at the Regional Sports Centre again with Treacy's place going to either Mark O'Neill or Brian Morrisroe.

Bohemians, meanwhile, have more to choose from than in recent weeks (although they may also have a lot more to do the choosing). Maurice O'Driscoll is still laid up with a groin injury but Derek Swan is estimated to have a 50-50 chance of playing following a favourable though not exactly conclusive result of a foot x-ray during the week. On the brighter side Shaun Maher and Tommy Byrne are fit again.

Last season: Bohemians 1 Rovers 1, Rovers 2 Bohemians 1, Bohemians 0 Rovers 1.

Recent league form: Bohemians: LDLLL; Rovers: DLDDD.

Leading scorers: Bohemians: Swan (three); Rovers: Cousins (two).

Betting: Home: 11/8, Draw: 7/4, Away: 2/1.

Referee: H Byrne (Dublin).

St Patrick's Ath v UCD (7.45)

Having been knocked off their stride in Ballybofey last weekend, the champions will be looking to get back on track against UCD this evening and despite the continued absence of Willie Burke and (probably) Paul Campbell they should be closer to full strength this time out than they have been since the start of the league campaign.

Jeff Clarke and Colin Hawkins are both back in line for a start tonight and while the Canadian international may have to settle for a place on the bench this time around, Hawkins will probably slot back in beside Packie Lynch at the heart of the home side's defence.

UCD, meanwhile, should be unchanged despite losing to Cork City last weekend - a result which Dr Tony O'Neill feels was somewhat harsh on his players given the overall performance. "With last year's top three in the three weeks, this is a tough phase for us but we gave Cork a run for their money last week and that's the yardstick we're going on at the moment.

"We had some tight games against St Patrick's over the past year and this one will certainly be tough but we'll be fighting hard again to get the points."

So far the students have the most settled side in the division with just 13 players having featured in their five league games and that is something the club's management team will be hoping leads to some more consistent form than they enjoyed for much of last season.

Last season: St Patrick's 1 UCD 1, UCD 1 St Patrick's 1, St Patrick's 1 UCD 0.

Recent league form: St Patrick's: WWWWL; UCD: LDWDL.

Leading scorers: St Patrick's: Gilzean (four); UCD: Bennis, Lynch, Dunne (one apiece).

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

Referee: J McDermott (Dublin).

First Division

Drogheda Utd v Longford

Unbeaten since the opening weekend of the season but struggling a little of late to actually win games, Drogheda United will look to close the gap on leaders Galway United this evening by beating Stephen Kenny's young Longford side.

Once again the home side will be understrength with James Impey, Mickey Gahan and John Carroll injured while Darren O'Keefe is suspended but manager Martin Lawlor points to the solid performances produced by the club's younger players like Derek Thorntan that he as called in as replacements as evidence that he has the sort of depth in the squad he requires.

Longford, whose away form so far has been a little mixed with wins at Monaghan and Cobh balanced out somewhat by 3-1 defeats at Athlone and Kilkenny are still without striker Kenny Lundy who remains sidelined with a hamstring problem but Kenny does have everybody else to choose from.

Betting courtesy of Paddy Power.