Tonight's Previews

St Patrick's Athletic v Galway United (7.45)

Another meeting for these two and after the excitement of their second cup clash there should be the makings of another fine game at Richmond Park this evening.

For the hosts Marcus Hallows is one of several players rated as doubtful, the top scorer has a neck problem which Pat Dolan feels leaves him no better than an even chance of starting.

Dolan is also waiting on Colin Hawkins whose foot injury has yet to clear up but he, like Willie Burke, may be back unlike Packie Lynch who will only return to training next week after suffering concussion in Terryland Park a fortnight ago.

United, meanwhile, will have to cope without Neil Ogden (suspended) and left full Michael Quirke. That will mean a bit of a reshuffle with Gareth Gorman, Michael Donnellan, Ollie Keogh and Alan Murphy all in the hunt for staring places.

Last two seasons: 1998/99: Did not meet; 99/00: Galway 1 St Patrick's 2.

Recent league form: St Patrick's: LLLWL; Galway: WLLWW.

Leading scorers: St Patrick's: Hallows (five); Galway: Clery (five).

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

Referee: A O'Regan (Cork).

Shelbourne v Shamrock Rovers (Network 2, 7.35)

Last week's defeat will have come as a bit of a shock to a Shelbourne side that had gone 20 games unbeaten in the league but Dermot Keely will know that once his side avoid a repeat of the slip up tonight they will remain in the driving seat.

Central defender Pat Scully has missed some training this week with the flu but is expected to be fit enough to start while Garry Haylock has recovered from a groin strain and should be back on the bench.

For Rovers there are slightly more serious concerns than that.

Tony O'Dowd (calf) and Terry Palmer (hamstring) both missed training last night and will face late fitness tests. Brian Byrne (ankle) and Graham Lawlor have problems too. So Anthony Stewart, Stewart Holt and Shane Robinson are all in the reckoning for starts.

Last two seasons: 1998/99: Shelbourne 2 Rovers 2, Rovers 2 Shelbourne 1, Shelbourne 1 Rovers 0; 99/00: Rovers 1 Shelbourne 1.

Recent league form: Shelbourne: WWDWL; Rovers: LWWLW.

Leading scorers: Shelbourne: Fenlon and S Geoghegan (four apiece); Rovers: Woods (seven).

Betting: Home: 11/10, Draw: 9/4, Away: 2/1.

Referee: J Feighery (Dublin).

UCD v Drogheda United (7.45)

THINGS have settled down a little for Martin Moran at Belfield. Last week's win in Waterford left the students nine points clear of United, when they might have only come away with a three point advantage, which was particularly important and Moran sees this evening as another opportunity to put a bit of space between his side and the strugglers.

Tony McDonnell will still be out for some time but otherwise everybody looks to be fine. Aidan Lynch and Brian Mooney missed some training over the last few days although not for anything that would be expected to keep them out.

At Drogheda Eddie May has three suspensions - James Impey, Darren O'Keeffe and Greg O'Dowd - to cope with so Tom McNulty is expected to start his first game for the club. Peter McDonald faces a late fitness test due to flu.

Both of the new imports, Ray Wallace and Christian Roberts will start again after doing well in the draw with Cork last week and the club say they are about to sign another striker and release more of the current squad next week. The names are to follow early next week.

Last two seasons: 1998/99: Did not meet; 99/00: United 0 UCD 1.

Recent league form: UCD: DDWLW; United: LDDLD.

Leading scorers: UCD: Martyn (five); United: Byrne (five).

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

Referee: T Tully (Cork).