National League Previews

Saturday

Sligo Rovers v Shelbourne (7.30)

Sligo have not beaten the Dubliners in the League this decade. The last meeting, a couple of months ago at Tolka Park, ended in a draw. Rovers boss Nicky Reid is the first to admit, however, that his side was fortunate to escape with a point that night for the visitors had been comfortably outplayed before Glen Shannon came off the bench to bag a last minute equaliser.

With Neil Ogden and Jim Sheridan still out suspended, Reid really doesn't have the players to make the changes he would like. Matters are not improved by the fact that Shannon is almost certainly ruled out by an ankle injury sustained in the Waterford game but Sean Flannery, who scored after coming on for Shannon then, is fit to start.

Shelbourne are without Declan Geoghegan who has a hamstring problem while Mark Rutherford has departed to Newry. Greg Costello returns to the squad as does Owen Heery who missed out last week due to becoming a father.

Last two seasons: 1997/98: Shelbourne 3 Rovers 0, Rovers 1 Shelbourne 1, Shelbourne 2 Rovers 0; 98/99: Shelbourne 1 Rovers 1.

Recent league form: Rovers: WLWLD; Shelbourne: DLDLW.

Leading scorers: Rovers: Hallows and Shannon (six apiece); Shelbourne: Sheridan (five), Fenlon (four).

Betting: Home: 7/4, Draw: 9/4, Away: 5/4. Referee: A O'Regan (Cork).

Derry City v Dundalk (7.30).

Jim McLaughlin brings Dundalk to his former club in far better shape than might have seemed possible a few short weeks ago. He says the attitude he has seen so far has delighted him just as much as the five points taken from the games against Shamrock Rovers, Cork City and St Patrick's Athletic. Brian Byrne and David Hoey will once again start the game on the bench for the visitors. McLaughlin insists that he wouldn't be prepared to risk either of them from the start just yet. If that's the case then the team is almost certain to be unchanged from the one that drew with Cork last Sunday.

Last two seasons: 1997/98: City 1 Dundalk 2, Dundalk 0 City 1, City 0 Dundalk 0; 98/99: Dundalk 2 City 2.

Recent league form: City: WLDWD; Dundalk: DLWDD.

Leading scorers: City: Coyle (six), McHugh (four); Dundalk: Withnell (four), Ward and Reddish (two apiece).

Betting: Home: 1/2, Draw: 12/5, Away: 11/2.

Referee: E Barr (Dublin).

Sunday

Cork City v UCD (2.0)

The students will do well to extend their unbeaten run at Turner's Cross tomorrow but then they have started to show what they are really made of over the last couple of weeks so Dave Barry won't exactly be counting any chickens either.

The leaders are still without the suspended Greg O'Halloran and the injured Patsy Freyne but Kelvin Flanagan returns after a three-match ban and Colin O'Brien, out since late last season with a cruciate ligament problem, may play. The students will be pretty much unchanged from the team that beat Harps 3-0 at Belfield although Eoin Bennis will have a fitness test on an ankle injury today.

Last two seasons: 1997/98: City 1 UCD 0, UCD 0 City 0, City 1 UCD 2; 98/99: UCD 0 City 1.

Recent league form: City: WWDDD; UCD: LDDWW.

Leading scorers: City: Cahill (six), Caulfield, Dobbs and Flanagan (five apiece); UCD: Bennis and O'Byrne (four apiece).

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

Referee: H Byrne (Dublin).

Bray v Bohemians (3.15)

This is becoming an increasingly sticky spell for Pat Devlin and his Bray side with not a point to show from their last seven outings and he is under no illusions that this is a key contest.

`Striker Jason Byrne looks likely to be rested due to an ankle injury, Colm Tresson and John Ryan are both doubtful due to flu and Bo McKeever is out for some time yet due to suspension.

Roddy Collins, the Bohemians boss, has two more options than last week due to the arrival at the club of midfielder Paul Byrne and striker Ray Kelly.

Last two seasons: 1997/98: Did not meet; 98/99: Bohemians 1 Wanderers 2.

Recent league form: Wanderers: LLLLL; Bohemians: WLLDD.

Leading scorers: Wanderers: Byrne (five), Parsons (three);

Bohemians: Swan (four), Lawlor (three).

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

Referee: P McKeon (Dublin).

Shamrock Rovers v Waterford

Not much change to this one since the preview that appeared in yesterday's paper other than the fact that it is now hoped to play the game tomorrow at 3.15, subject to a pitch inspection in the morning.

Last two seasons: 1997/98: Did not meet; 98/99: United 1 Rovers 1.

Recent league form: Rovers: WWWDD; United: DDLLD.

Leading scorers: Rovers: Cousins, Kenny and Sherlock (five apiece); United: Dully, Wood and Gannon (two apiece);

Betting: Home: 4/5, Draw: 9/4, Away: 100/30.

Referee: G Perry (Dublin).

First Division

The Longford Town bandwagon has lost a bit of its momentum over the past couple of weeks but Stephen Kenny is hopeful that the fact that he has all of his first-choice players available may help to get his side back on the road.

Evan Creedon is suspended, but the return of Vinny Perth and Stephen O'Brien will be of more significance for the surprise early pacesetters ahead of the visit of Limerick.

Limerick, meanwhile, have Paddy Doyle back after work commitments kept him out of the draw with Kilkenny City. Paul Carr, though, has a groin strain and will probably miss out.

The game marks the start of an important holiday period for Dave Connell's men with matches against Galway and Drogheda to come.

Fixtures: Kilkenny City v Monaghan United, Longford Town v Limerick, St Francis v Cobh Ramblers (all Saturday at 7.30).

Betting courtesy of Paddy Power