Bray Wanderers v Sligo Rovers - (Carlisle Grounds, 7.45)
"If the season was over now I'd be very, very happy," admits Bray Wanderers manager Pat Devlin.
His side are third on the table with a game in hand and Devlin was disappointed with last week's postponement against Finn Harps, such is his side's form.
Top-scoring striker Jason Byrne, the revelation of Bray's season, is Devlin's only concern, as he's still bothered by a virus. Barry O'Connor and Graham Cassin return to the squad after regaining match fitness in the reserves following suspension and injury.
John Ryan, a name synonymous with Bray Wanderers, believes this is the best Bray team he's ever played in.
"On the playing side there is far more strength in depth, as can be seen by the players who are not in the team at the moment," said Ryan. "At the start of the season we would have settled for a mid-table position. We've started well, but won't be counting our chickens yet."
Sligo Rovers manager Nicky Reid was in England this week, ostensibly searching for players to strengthen his side, which hasn't won since the opening match of the season.
Captain Steve Birks is suspended but Reid himself is fit again, as is youth international midfielder Conor O'Grady.
Last two seasons: 1996/97: Sligo Rovers 3 Bray Wanderers 2, Bray Wanderers 2 Sligo Rovers 2, Sligo Rovers 0 Bray Wanderers 1. 1997/98: Did not meet.
Current league form: Bray Wanderers WWDLW; Sligo Rovers DDDLL.
Leading league scorers: Bray Wanderers, Byrne (5); Sligo Rovers, Shannon (3).
Referee: H Byrne (Dublin).
Betting: 11-8 home; 13-8 away; 11-5 draw.
Shamrock Rovers v St Patrick's Ath (Tolka Park, 7.45)
Given that Cork City host an in-form Shelbourne, St Patrick's Athletic have a good chance of regaining the lead of the Premier Division if they can get something from a Shamrock Rovers side that has yet to find its feet.
Last Friday's thrilling league defeat of Cork City leaves only a goal separating the two sides at the top.
St Patrick's manager Liam Buckley said there was no comparison between the way his sides played in that league game and the League Cup semi-final against the southerners on Monday.
"If we asked ourselves which game we would have preferred to have won, it naturally would have been the league match," said Buckley. "If we can play as well as we did last Friday I'd be very happy. We created a lot of chances and I'll be looking for a repeat of that."
Skipper Eddie Gormley didn't play in Monday's defeat at Turner's Cross due to a thigh strain, but is expected to resume tonight.
Rovers have problems in attack. Jason Sherlock is out with a knee injury and Tony Cousins is struggling with a hamstring strain that has prevented him from training this week.
With Eoghan O'Meara out after rolling an ankle against UCD and Brendan Markey having had surgery on his knee, manager Mick Byrne will give Cousins a late fitness test in the hope of him playing.
Richie Purdy is mid-way through a threematch suspension and Matt Britton plays his last game before starting his ban.
Last two seasons: 1996/97: St Patrick's Athletic 0 Shamrock Rovers 0, Shamrock Rovers 0 St Patrick's Athletic 1, St Patrick's Athletic 2 Shamrock Rovers 2. 1997/98: Shamrock Rovers 0 St Patrick's Athletic 1, St Patrick's Athletic 2 Shamrock Rovers 0, Shamrock Rovers 0 St Patrick's Athletic 1.
Current league form: Shamrock Rovers DDWLW; St Patrick's Athletic LWWWW.
Leading league scorers: Shamrock Rovers, Cousins (3); St Patrick's Athletic, Molloy (6).
Referee: J McDermott (Dublin).
Betting: 5-2 home; 10-11 away; 9-4 draw.
Betting courtesy of Paddy Power.
St Patrick's Athletic striker Trevor Molloy, the Premier Division's leading scorer, will miss the match with Derry City on Sunday, November 14, after receiving a one-match ban. Cork City captain Declan Daly has also been suspended for one match and misses the game away to Bray Wanderers on the same weekend.
Both players carried over 16 points from last season and have received a yellow card this season.
Finn Harps midfielder Eamonn Kavanagh has received a two-match ban for his sending-off against Cork City.
First Division leaders Longford Town will have to do without two full backs, captain Wesley Byrne and Paul Perth, for three games. Both have been booked five times this season.
The two Premier Division matches postponed last weekend have been refixed. Finn Harps v Bray Wanderers is on Sunday, November 15th and Sligo Rovers v Shamrock Rovers is on Tuesday, November 24th.
Veteran goalkeeper John Grace is on his way back to Limerick FC. With regular net minder, Eddie Hickie, ruled out because of suspension for two weeks, and with no cover for him, manager Dave Connell invited Grace, who is currently playing junior football in Dublin, to come to his rescue.
