It's not often in a league that top meets bottom with so little to choose between them in terms of recent results but as Drogheda United travel to Flancare Park for this evening's televised game (RTÉ Two, kick-off 7.55) it is actually they who will have to slightly upset the formbook if they are to come away with the points.
The six-point deduction imposed on Longford Town early in the season for licence-related difficulties means they still prop up the Premier Division table. Over the last eight games, though, Alan Mathews' side have picked up 16 league points compared with 15 for United, who hold a five-point advantage over Shamrock Rovers in the title race.
David Mooney's remarkable run of scoring, which has just earned him an Eircom Soccer Writers' Player of the Month Award, has contributed much to his side's improvement over the past few months, with Longford now having gone 17 games in all competitions without failing to find the net at least once.
"David's form has certainly helped us to score more than we've been conceding," laughs Mathews, "but it's been a broader thing than that.
"We've been able to field a fairly settled team over the last while and the wins we've had have generated confidence.
"But we're under no illusions," he continues. "nothing's been achieved yet. We're in the semi-finals of the cup, which is nice, but we're still at the foot of the table and we could do with beating Drogheda which isn't exactly going to be easy."
Damien Brennan and Pat Sullivan are both suspended but Ian Ryan, Collie James and Seán Kelly all return to the squad after having been cup-tied for last weekend's win over Limerick 37.
United have Stuart Byrne suspended and Paul Keegan is likely to start alongside Shane Robinson again in central midfield. Aidan O'Keefe and Richie Baker are doubtful with calf injuries although compared with the problems early in the season, it seems little enough for manager Paul Doolin to contend with.
Predictably, Doolin is a little tired of the downturn in his side's recent form being pointed out to him. "I kept hearing before the Derry game we hadn't won in four but what I'd say is we only lost one and we were quite good last week, we defended well and probably deserved to win by more than just one goal. Anyway, you'd probably have to go back a few years to find the last time anyone took nine points off Derry in a season so I'm not complaining."
The game between Bray Wanderers and second-placed Rovers scheduled for tonight at the Carlisle Grounds has been put back to Wednesday as a mark of respect to the two part-time firefighters, Brian Murray and Mark O'Shaughnessy, killed while battling a blaze in the town this week.
Elsewhere, there are several games where either the prospect of qualifying for Europe or avoiding relegation will be a major factor.
Cork City travel to Derry without the suspended Colin Healy or injured Darragh Ryan while Seán Connor will be without Thomas Heary or Neale Fenn again as he looks to build on Bohemians' cup win over St Patrick's Athletic against his former club, Sligo Rovers, at Dalymount.
In the first division, meanwhile, the top two meet at Ballybofey where Harps could go top if they beat Cobh Ramblers. The home side have been on a remarkable run recently and are hoping for their biggest crowd of the season.
Goalkeeper James Gallagher is a doubt with a hip injury while Marc Brolly sat out training in recent days with a groin strain. Cobh are without Shane Barrett and Michael Mulcrony, both of whom are suspended.
