National League Previews

Tonight (all 7.45)

Bohemians v Shelbourne (Tolka Park)

The extent of Bohemians's injury problems has forced Roddy Collins to delay Graham Doyle's operation on a groin problem and the big central defender will now be thrown in for the club's first Dublin derby of the season.

Collins admits that the move is a gamble but reckons that even if he gets 60 minutes out of Doyle this evening it will have been worth it. Damian O'Neill (18) will be on stand by if Doyle needs to make an early exit.

Up front there is mixed news for the home side, with Jamie Harris doubtful due to an Achilles strain, Graham Lawlor back training but unlikely to be fit for tonight and Derek Swan ready to play some part. Ray Kelly, though, is likely to partner Glen Crowe in attack. Shelbourne may be more-or-less unchanged, with Tommy Byrne regaining fitness after returning to training but still a bit short of 100 per cent. Davey Byrne, who came on as a substitute and then departed for Dundee United in midweek, is obviously out of the reckoning.

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

Betting: Home: 13/8, Draw: 11/5, Away: 11/8.

Referee: J McDermott (Dublin).

Galway United v Drogheda United

With Mick Flowers out for several months, Eddie Hickey comes into the Galway starting line up for this evening's visit of Drogheda. But there are other problems too for the home side: Michael Keane, only back from an operation he had over the summer, broke his leg in training on Tuesday night.

"It's a terrible shame for the lad because he had only come on in last week's game," says coach Don O'Riordan, "and shown us that he was completely fit again, and then he does this to himself in what was a bit of a freak accident."

For this evening, O'Riordan will look at the possibility of a change or two despite being generally happy with last week's performance after the first 20 minutes. "We looked very nervous, but ironically Mick's injury helped us in one way because it gave us a chance to get a grip on things and steady the ship. Now we have to beat a team who will be coming here determined to get something after last week and we know it won't be easy."

Drogheda's main concern will be to tighten up at the back after an opening game in which they conceded three goals from set pieces and a fourth from a defensive error. Martin Lawlor welcomes Gerry Boyle back from suspension, but Stephen Roche, who missed the Rovers match with a viral infection, is expected to be out for four weeks, and Derek Thornton is out of favour having nipped off to the sun for a week or two without telling his gaffer.

Last season: Galway 2 Drogheda 2, Drogheda 1 Galway 1, Galway 2 Drogheda 1, Drogheda 0 Galway 2.

Betting: Home: 4/7, Draw: 12/5, Away: 9/2.

Referee: A O'Regan (Cork).

UCD v St Patrick's Ath

The champions give late fitness tests to Packie Lynch and Paul Osam ahead of this evening's game at Belfield, and both would be useful additions to the side that surrendered the points against Derry last weekend.

Stephen McGuinness is definitely available again after suspension but Eddie Gormley is still serving out his ban for a sending off in a reserve game last season.

"I thought we were poor defensively against Derry," says manager Liam Buckley, "and I'll be looking for a better performance in that department in this game. But while I'll think about a change or two, when I know how everybody is fixed I can't see it being too different from last Friday."

UCD will hardly be much changed from Saturday when they went to Sligo and took all three points with what was said to be, particularly in the first half, a solid performance. Everybody is available again and taking the scalps of the title holders this evening would certainly be a sign that, as the management teams says they are, the students are finally capable of rising above the relegation battle.

Last season: St Patrick's 1 UCD 0, UCD 2 St Patrick's 2, St Patrick's 0 UCD 0.

Betting: Home: 3/1, Draw: 9/4, Away: 4/5.

Referee: G Perry (Dublin).

Betting courtesy of Paddy Power.