St Patrick's Athletic won't be lulled into thinking there is ever a good time to be playing the champions.
"Bohemians have the best squad in the league and a proven manager," says St Patrick's boss Eamonn Collins, whose side put their unbeaten home record on the line tonight against a Bohemians team struggling to rediscover their title winning form.
"I think they are the standard-bearers for the league and any team that finishes on top of Bohs will be very close to winning it. We've had a good start, losing just once in eight games, and I hope we can build on that.
"There has been a lot of upheaval at the club over the last couple of seasons. We have regrouped, though we're not ready to really challenge yet. This season was always about rebuilding the team and we still need to tinker a little bit with it.
"We know Bohs, Shels, Cork and Rovers have more settled teams and they are ahead of us, but we are working extremely hard to get there."
Injuries are hampering Collins' plans tonight. Young midfielder Keith Fahy, so impressive recently, may have to play with a painkilling injection on a slight calf tear, while Charles Mbabazi Livingstone and Paul Osam are again doubtful with a recurrence of knee injuries.
Striker Tony Bird has had the flu this week but should be fit to play.
"St Pat's have a good record against us at Richmond Park and they are playing well at home, so it should be a tight game and we will have to play well to get a result," acknowledges Bohemians manager Stephen Kenny, who has Derek Coughlan and Stephen Caffrey back from injury.
"It's all very tight, with just five points separating six teams, and that's what I expected," says Kenny. "The league in general is very strong. I expect there will be four or five teams in contention right to the end."
James Gannon and Jim Crawford, both sent off at Cork City last week, are absent through suspension for leaders Shelbourne, who meet Shamrock Rovers in another big Dublin derby at Tolka Park.
Kevin Doherty, who came off after just 17 minutes with a hamstring strain at Turner's Cross, and Richie Baker (thigh) will have late fitness tests.
Midfielder Stuart Byrne, who hasn't played all season following a foot operation, may return to the squad.
Liam Kelly returns to the Shamrock Rovers side having missed their 5-1 win over Derry last week due to a thigh strain. Fellow striker Trevor Molloy (ankle) remains sidelined, but midfielder Jason Colwell is available again following suspension.
"The win over Derry has put us right back in contention again," says Rovers manager Liam Buckley. "We can now draw level with Shelbourne on points if we win."
TONIGHT (7.45) - National League Premier Division: St Patrick's Athletic v Bohemians; Shelbourne v Shamrock Rovers.
