Saturday

Derry City v Longford Town (7.45)

Derry manager Kevin Mahon won't be tinkering with a side that has notched up six points from their past two games. That means, in the continuing absence of Liam Coyle and Paddy McLaughlin, Peter Hutton will stay in midfield from where he has engineered Derry's last two wins.

A third win would further boost the club's attempt to get clear of the relegation dogfight but it would also be nice to avoid the embarrassment of failing to beat newly-promoted Longford in any of their three meetings this season.

The visitors are without Stephen Kelly and Paul Perth who are still carrying injuries. Sean Prunty is also a doubt with a thigh strain.

Last two seasons: 1999/00: Did not meet; 00/01: City 0 Longford 1, Longford 1 City 0.

Recent league form: City: DWLWW; Longford: LLLLW.

Leading scorers: City: Doherty (four); Longford: Kelly and O'Connor (five apiece).

Betting: Home: 11/10, Draw: 11/5, Away: 2/ 1.

Referee: P Whelan (Dublin).

Sunday

Cork City v St Patrick's Ath (2.0)

Having gone out of the Cup a couple of weeks ago Derek Mountfield targeted this week's three home games as the ideal opportunity for City to play their way back into the hunt for a UEFA Cup spot. Instead, they go into this game with just one point from the matches against Shelbourne and Shamrock Rovers. Mountfield has Declan Daly (stomach), Derek Coughlan (bruised foot) and Anthony Buckley (hamstring) all doubtful, as is the case with James Mulligan due to a calf strain picked up earlier in the week. On the brighter side Colin O'Brien is back after a chest infection and Tony Tynan has done well enough to be entrusted with the right side of midfield. St Patrick's Athletic have no major worries and after a strong performance against UCD during the week manager Pat Dolan admits he has a few tricky choices to make before tomorrow.

Last two seasons: 1999/00: City 1 St Patrick's 0, St Patrick's 2 City 0, City 1 St Patrick's 1; 00/01: City 1 St Patrick's 0, St Patrick's 1 City 1.

Recent league form: City: WDWDL; St Patrick's: WLWWD.

Leading scorers: City: Morley (six); St Patrick's: Kelly (seven).

Betting: Home: 11/8, Draw: 11/5, Away: 13/ 8. Referee: H Byrne (Dublin).

Shamrock Rovers v Bohemians (2.30)

Rovers are still without Tony Cousins for what is traditionally their biggest derby of the season but Derek Tracey is available after a calf strain. Marc Kenny is to test his fitness in an under-21 match this afternoon.

Pat Deans did well in Cork on Wednesday and may retain his place even if Tracey is fit but Damien Richardson is likely to be even happier with the performance of Sean Francis who grabbed both of the goals. Bohemians will have Kevin Hunt and Shaun Maher back from suspension while Dave Hill has shaken off the flu. But Darren O'Keeffe is still suffering from a knee injury while Brendan Markey has been released by the club.

Last two seasons: 1999/00: Bohemians 1 Rovers 2, Rovers 0 Bohemians 1, Bohemians 0 Rovers 0; 00/01: Rovers 0 Bohemians 0, Bohemians 0 Rovers 1.

Recent league form: Rovers: WLDLW; Bohemians: LWLWD.

Leading scorers: Rovers: Francis (seven); Bohemians: Crowe (13).

Betting: Home: 13/8, Draw: 2/1, Away: 6/4. Referee: J Feighery (Dublin).

UCD v Kilkenny City (3.15)

After seeing his side slip up last week against rivals Galway United and then more or less allowing the League Cup final to be put beyond them in Tuesday's first leg, UCD manager Martin Moran's frustration is all too apparent. That Tony McDonnell will be out for a few weeks after getting 15 stitches put in a gash on his leg in Inchicore, will hardly ease Moran's concerns.

The visitors are close to full strength with Warren Parkes back from injury and Paul McAreavy recovered from the flu but Derek McGrath is likely to miss out with an ankle injury while Richie Purdy and Dave Mulcahy are doubtful.

Last two seasons: 1999/00: Did not meet; 00/01: UCD 2 City 1, City 0 UCD 1.

Recent league form: UCD: DLDDL; City: LLDLD.

Leading scorers: UCD: Grogan and McDonnell (four apiece); City: Byrne, Kabia, Mulcahy, Murray, Carter, Parkes, McGrath, Rocha and McAreavy (one apiece).

Betting: Home: 2/5, Draw: 11/4, Away: 13/2. Referee: I Stokes (Dublin).

Betting courtesy of Paddy Power.