National League Previews

(all 7.45)

St Patrick's Ath v Derry City

Both sides are out of the cup, badly off the pace in the league but completely safe from relegation, none of which would exactly have anyone on the edge of their seats about this evening's game.

Still, the first meeting of the season between this pair was an exciting encounter which City, spurred on by an outstanding performance from Gary Beckett in midfield, deservedly won. A repeat of that result would further damage the champions' hopes of at least salvaging a place in Europe which should, in itself, be enough to give the game a bit of an edge.

The home side must wait on several players with Trevor Molloy (hamstring), Barry Prenderville (hip) and Stephen McGuinness (back) all doubtful for Pat Dolan.

City, meanwhile, would dearly love to recapture the sort of spirit that earned them such a fine result back in August. Given the last couple of weeks, during which they have beaten Shelbourne but gone tamely out of the cup to Bray it is anyone's guess which side we will see tonight. Michael McHugh (ankle), whose proposed transfer to Coleraine now looks to be off completely, is the only absentee.

Last two seasons: 1998/99: City 0 St Patrick's 1, St Patrick's 1 City 0, City 0 St Patrick's 0; 99/00: St Patrick's 1 City 2, City 0 St Patrick's 3.

Recent league form: St Patrick's: LLWLW; City: WWLWD.

Leading scorers: St Patrick's: Hallows (six); City: Coyle (four).

Betting: Home: 5/6, Draw: 9/4, Away: 11/4.

Referee: J Feighery (Dublin).

Shelbourne v Galway UTD

After last week's convincing performance in the win over Shamrock Rovers, Dermot Keely's side now have the chance to step up the pressure on their rivals.

The hope inside the camp will be that having at last put a few goalscoring chances away, the team can start turning the dominance they have enjoyed in recent weeks into convincing victories. There would probably be more confidence about this evening if Keely was in a position to field an unchanged side but Declan Geoghegan has a stomach muscle problem that is likely to sideline him for a couple of weeks while Dessie Baker's ankle problem and Pat Scully's suspension mean that they will be replaced by Garry Haylock and Dave Campbell respectively.

"We haven't beaten Galway this season, it's as simple as that, but this is a big game for us because I would expect Bohemians to win down in Waterford," says Keely. "Galway are very organised but they come out and play so I'm looking forward to it. The previous two meetings with them were four points down the drain for us and it's important that we improve on that."

United will be without Michael Quirke (knee) but Don O'Riordan's options will be broadened by the return of Fergal Coleman who is likely to go straight into the team up front with Scott Morgan continuing at full-back and Kieran Foley reverting to central defence.

Last two seasons: 1998/99: Didn't meet; 99/00: Shelbourne 1 United 1, United 0 Shelbourne 0.

Recent league form: Shelbourne: WDWLW; United: LLWWL.

Leading scorers: Shelbourne: S Geoghegan and Fenlon (four apiece); United: Lavine and Clery (five apiece).

Betting: Home: 2/5, Draw: 11/4, Away: 13/2.

Referee: H Byrne (Dublin).

Waterford Utd v Bohemians

Last season United saved themselves by putting together a remarkable run of good results over the course of the last round of games and manager Mike Flanagan knows that they will have to repeat the trick if they are not to slip down this time.

"It's a good time to put together a run," says the United boss who is confident that his current panel is good enough to ensure survival for another campaign. With everything so tight at the bottom there is still plenty of time for his side to do it but another good result against Bohemians would be a nice start.

Flanagan is without David Whittle and Alan Kirby, both of whom are suspended but the hosts are otherwise at full strength for the visit of Roddy Collins's men.

The Dubliners travel without the suspended Avery John but 30 year-old Croatian Darko Marovic (a wide midfielder who can apparently play on either side) is available to make his debut.

Stephen Caffrey and Mark Dempsey, who had been suffering with calf and achilles strains respectively are both fit to start while Collins is hoping to sign Home Farm Fingal's Richard Foran by Monday's transfer deadline.

Last two seasons: 1998/99: Bohemians 0 United 1, United 0 Bohemians 0, Bohemians 0 United 1; 99/00: United 0 Bohemians 2, Bohemians 0 United 2.

Recent league form: United: DWLLL; Bohemians: WWWWD.

Leading scorers: United: Grant (four); Bohemians: Crowe (eight).

Betting: Home: 100/30, Draw: 9/4, Away: 8/11.

Referee: A O'Regan (Cork).

Betting courtesy of Paddy Power.