Saturday (7.30)
Derry City v Shamrock Rovers A big game for the Dubliners who need to take something from the Brandywell in order to stay in touch with the leading trio and Mick Byrne's side make the journey north at a time when City are without a number of key players and while several of those available are off form.
Paul Heggarty and Liam Coyle are suspended, Robbie Brunton and Gavin Dykes are injured and Gary Beckett and Sean Hargan have probably forgotten what it feels like to score a goal but Tom Mohan should be fit enough to start which will give City a slightly more familiar look than at Dalymount where a few of the less experienced panel members got a run out and three 16-year-olds occupied the bench.
Brian Morrisroe, injured in the win over Kilkenny is still out and Derek Treacy is likely to start in his place on the left hand side of midfield as Byrne opts to stick with the 4-4-2 formation which Rovers have reverted to in recent weeks.
Last two seasons: 1996/97: Derry 1 Rovers 0, Rovers 1 Derry 1, Derry 1 Rovers 1; 97/98: Rovers 1 Derry 0.
Recent league form: Derry: LDWDL; Rovers: WWLDW.
Leading scorers: Derry: Hargan (five), L Coyle and Keddy (four apiece); Rovers: Cousins (10).
Betting: Home: 5/4, Draw: 2/1, Away: 2/1.
Referee: P McKeon (Dublin).
Kilkenny City v Dundalk
Kilkenny's search for a more successful formula continues with the arrival of left bback Ray Carolan from Shamroc Rovers but manager Alfie Hale denies that the club is turning its back on its policy of developing local talent in a desperate bid to stay up.
"We want to avoid going down," he says "that's obvious but we are trying to strike a balance between local lads and players brought in from outside. That's always the way things have been at the club and as long as we don't go too far down the road of bringing in players from Dublin or whatever it will help us."
Carolan will certainly strengthen the City defence while Paul Cashin's return in the centre of the field after being out with knee ligament trouble will also improve Hale's hand even if the potential loss of Pierce Walsh to flu is a blow.
Dundalk, though, are better off too with Paul Carlyle available once more and some real competition up front where Peter Withnell will be keen to start after scoring in Finn Park. If he does then Brian Byrne is likely to drop back into the left side of midfield while Carlyle's return may mean that Tom McNulty loses out.
Last two seasons: 1996/97: Did not meet; 97/98: Dundalk 3 Kilkenny 0.
Recent league form: Kilkenny: LLDLL; Dundalk: WWLDW.
Leading scorers: Kilkenny: Hale (three); Dundalk: Byrne and Melvin (five).
Betting: Home: 9/2, Draw: 5/2, Away: 4/7. Referee: H Byrne (Dublin).
Sunday
Cork City v Finn Harps (2.0)
Both clubs are affected by suspensions, the difference being that Cork's trio of Jason Kabia, Kelvin Flanagan and Stephen Napier complete their bans tomorrow as a result of them missing Wednesday's Muster senior Cup tie against Waterford Glass.
Harps, meanwhile, who are still hoping to sign Shelbourne star Pascal Vaudequin, come into the game without either Jonathan Minnock or Dave Dowling, both of whom are serving suspensions. Midfielder Donal O'Brien is doubtful after suffering a rib injury in the game against Dundalk.
Shane Bradley will probably come in for Minnock on the left side of the defence but the other positions are up for grabs and James Mulligan may return after failing to make even the bench last weekend.
Last two seasons: 1996/97: Cork 0 Harps 1, Harps 0 Cork 1, Cork 1 Harps 0; 97/98: Harps 2 Cork 1.
Recent league form: Cork: WDDDD; Harps: WLWLL.
Leading scorers: Cork: O'Brien (seven), Cahill (five); Harps: Speak (eight).
Betting: Home: 8/15, Draw: 9/4, Away: 11/2. Referee: J Feighery (Dublin).
Betting courtesy of Paddy Power
