1. Breathing space for Sligo
The champions suffered a bit of stutter of late with two draws and a defeat but got back to winning ways with a 3-0 victory over nearest rivals Derry City on Monday night. The Bit O’Red were without their main scoring threat, suspended from the draw with Shamrock Rovers, but possess goal throughout their team and could rely on Lee Lynch, Ross Gaynor and David Cawley against the Candystripes.
With Elding returning, Ian Baraclough’s side go in search of their second win this week at the Carlisle Grounds. They hold a three-point gap over Derry, who will be expected to come out on top at home to UCD, but both teams could open up leads on St Patrick’s Athletic as the Saints don’t play until Tuesday due to the Setanta Cup final.
2. Shels rooted to the bottom
Having been leapfrogged by UCD in midweek, Shelbourne are currently the unfortunate occupants of bottom place in the Premier Division table. It has been a difficult season for the Dubliners but their situation was looking up after a draw with Limerick was followed by a win over the Students. However, defeat to the Students leaves Alan Mathew’s needing a win at Oriel Park.
Dundalk couldn’t keep up their incredible away record in Tallaght last weekend but still sit in fourth and Stephen Kenny will be pleased with his debut campaign in Louth has panned out so far.
3. Students out for revenge
The last time Derry and UCD met earlier this season, the Candystripes handed out a 6-0 hammering at the Belfield Bowl. It remains UCD’s biggest defeat of the season so far and Martin Russell has been able to shore up his defence somewhat in recent weeks.
Two wins from three means the Students head north to the Brandywell with reasonable confidence.
Derry, on the other hand, saw a ten game unbeaten run brought to an end by Sligo in their last outing. Declan Devine must also deal with the services of Ruaidhri Higgins, Paddy Kavanagh, Thomas Crawley (all injured) and Shane McElenay (suspended).
4. Bohs back home for meeting with Cork
Bohemians host Cork at Dalymount Park on the back of a 1-0 defeat at the hands of UCD on Tuesday. With the two clubs just above the three struggling sides Shels, Bray and UCD, a win for either would ease the pressure.
Cork have gone down in three of their last four but did earn a win when they last met the Gypsies at Turner’s Cross.
5. Cup final for Hoops and Drogs
No Airtricity League action for Shamrock Rovers or Drogheda United as the pair contest the Setanta Cup final at Tallaght Stadium on Saturday.
Premier Division
- Bohemians v Cork City
- Bray Wanderers v Sligo Rovers
- Derry City v UCD
- Dundalk v Shelbourne
First Division
- Mervue United v Waterford United
- Wexford Youths v Salthill Devon (8pm)
- Longford Town v Finn Harps (Saturday, 7.30pm)
- Cobh Ramblers v Athlone Town (Saturday, 7.45pm)
Setanta Cup final
- Shamrock Rovers v Drogheda United (Saturday, 3pm)
