Previews

James Coll is Athlone's most serious worry ahead of this evening's game against 1994 winners Sligo. The former Bohemains and Dundalk defender is suffering from a nasty bout of flu and John Dooley may continue at full-back in his absence with Keith Colsh and Tom Silke taking on the central defensive responsibilities.

Sligo, meanwhile, could do with bit of a cup run just now because, like their hosts, their league form hasn't been anything to shout about.

Rovers will be without the suspended Neil Ogden as well as Steve Birks, Glen Shannon and Padraig Moran - all of whom are carrying injuries. Jim Sheridan is back, though, having served his suspension and will be in the reckoning when Nicky Reid is selecting his side. "I'd say that they're probably under more pressure than us because they'll be desperate to avoid coming down. The cup means a lot to us as well, though, and we'll be giving it everything," said Athlone manager Joey Malone.

Five-year cup form: Athlone: 1, 1, 2, 1, S; Rovers: W, S, S, 2, Q.

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

To win cup: Athlone: 100/1; Rovers: 20/1. Possible replay venue and date: The Showgrounds, Tuesday, January 12th, 7.30.

Referee: G Perry (Dublin).

Bray Wanderers v St Francis

The Wanderers camp appears to be in far more buoyant mood after picking up a few points over the Christmas and Pat Devlin's side is further boosted by the fact that he has just about everybody to choose from this evening.

Jason Byrne, who played for 70 minutes in a reserve game on Monday, is back and Mick Doohan, says Devlin, has helped the Premier Division side to look a good deal more solid at the back over the last few weeks.

St Francis, on the other hand, have Gary O'Sullivan, Ross McNally and Ciaran Donnelly all out due to suspension, a groin strain and flu respectively while John Scott, Donnelly's regular partner at the heart of defence, is rated as doubtful with a head injury.

Whether he makes it or not there will be a fair amount of reorganisation within the side. The injuries are a major blow to manager Jimmy Harte who had been hoping his young side would get a crack at a Premier Division side and may be even cause an upset.

Five-year cup form: Bray: 2, 1, 1, Q, 1; St Francis: DNQ, DNQ, DNQ, 2, 2.

Betting: Home: 4/7; Draw: 12/5; Away: 5/1.

To win cup: Bray: 25/1; St Francis: 100/1.

Possible replay venue and date: John Hyland Park, Tuesday, January 12th, 7.30.

Referee: E Barr (Dublin).

Waterford Utd v Bohemians

Two of Premier Division's strugglers will have plenty to play for when they face each other this evening. The cup now represents the only chance of European qualification for both sides but more importantly, both managers argue, their teams getting into a winning habit would help in the more fundamental battle against relegation.

Bohemians have a full squad to choose from and with a bit of form behind them will start as favourites. Paul Byrne, who impressed during his second half appearance at Dundalk last Sunday, is in with a strong chance of starting and Derek Swan will be looking to continue his fine recent goalscoring run. If the visitors can reproduce the form they showed in their last game they should be all right. However, some of the points they have won recently have been taken from games in which they did not perform nearly as well.

Waterford, meanwhile, have managed just one point from their last five outings and there will clearly have to be some improvement if their 1999 cup run is to last more than 90 minutes.

Mike Flanagan is boosted, though, by the return of first team regulars Tim McGrath, Alan Reynolds and Barry Wood. All three will probably come straight back into the side.

"We'll have them back and there's the added interest around the city, so we're hoping it's going to be a very good night. Everybody is looking for a good cup run but for a team in a position like ours it's all the more important because it can kick start your season," said Flanagan.

Five-year cup form: Waterford: 1, 1, 2, S, 1; Bohemians: S, S, S, S, 1.

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

To win cup: Waterford: 14/1; Bohemians: 8/1.

Possible replay venue and date: Dalymount Park, Tuesday, January 12th, 7.30.

Referee: J Stacey (Athlone).

Betting courtesy of Paddy Power.

Key to cup form: W - winners; F - finalists; S - semi-finalists; Q - quarter-finalists; 2 - reached second round; 1 - reached first round.