Bohemians v St Patrick's Athletic - Dalymount Park, 7.45

Pete Mahon could do with a win tonight after a spell in which his team have almost entirely lost their way in the championship. And given the form of the visitors over the past few weeks this just might provide the opportunity they've been waiting for.

Simon Webb may be back for the visitors, although he is likely to face a late fitness test on the back injury that has kept him out for the past couple of months. Avery John, though, is definitely still laid up, as is Brian Shelley, while newly-signed Colin Hawkins has a groin strain and will probably miss out too.

Pat Dolan's side have, as usual, a doubt bout Paul Osam with the midfielder's hamstring the problem this time. Paul Donnelly's knee is also causing concern, although the hope is that both will be okay. Kieran Foley, however, will be out for some time after breaking his leg in two places as well as dislocating a shoulder in last week's under-21 game against Bohemians.

Last two seasons: 2000/01: Bohemians 2 St Patrick's Ath 2, St Patrick's Ath 2 Bohemians 1, Bohemians 2 St Patrick's Ath 1; 2001/02: St Patrick's Ath 1 Bohemians 1.

League form: Bohemians: D W L D D; St Patrick's Ath: L L L W D.

Leading scorers: Bohemians: Crowe (12); St Patrick's Ath: Mbabazi (nine).

Betting: Home: 11/8, Draw: 11/5, Away: 13/8.

Galway United v Shelbourne - Terryland Park, 7.45

The home side are still struggling badly as they attempt to get some sort of run going which might give them a chance of clawing their way to safety over the last third of the season.

Tony Mannion, though, continues to tinker with his personnel in the hope of improving things, and this week he has signed both Fran Carter and Declan (brother of Darragh) Sheridan.

The latter will miss this evening's game as he is still recovering from a cruciate ligament operation, but Carter does come into the reckoning, as does Mark Herrick, who controversially missed last weekend's game against Cork City.

Shelbourne are still without both Bakers (Dessie and Richie) and Byrnes (Brian and Davy), while on-loan signings Martin Gritton and John Burns are included in the panel. Neither will start as Alan Matthews is expected to stick with last week's starting 11.

Last two seasons: 2000/01: Galway United 1 Shelbourne 1, Shelbourne 3 Galway United 1, Galway United 0 Shelbourne 0; 2001/02: Shelbourne 3 Galway United 0.

League form: Galway United: W L L W L; Shelbourne: W L W D D.

Leading scorers: Galway United: Ryan (three); Shelbourne: Geoghegan (six).

Betting: Home: 4/1, Draw: 12/5, Away: 8/13.

Shamrock Rovers v Cork City - Richmond Park, 7.45

The leaders have Shane Robinson back from suspension, and Tony Grant is reckoned to be okay again after recovering from a groin strain. But there are a few problems, too, with Pat Scully still carrying a thigh strain and Derek Tracey struggling due a hip injury.

Marc Kenny is close to 100 per cent again but will start on the bench for a game that Damien Richardson describes as "the sort that people look forward to, two good teams playing for three vital points".

City boss Liam Murphy must wait to assess the fitness of young left back Neal Horgan, who has an ankle injury, and if the teenager misses out then Stephen Napier is likely to come into the visiting side's starting line-up.

Anthony Buckley, meanwhile, will definitely be missing as the midfielder still has another game of his suspension to serve.

Last two seasons: 2000/01: Shamrock Rovers 4 Cork City 1, Cork City 1 Shamrock Rovers 2, Shamrock Rovers 1 Cork City 2; 2001/02: Cork City 2 Shamrock Rovers 1.

League form: Shamrock Rovers: D W W D W; City: D W W D W.

Leading scorers: Shamrock Rovers: Francis (eight); Cork City: Cahill and Hartigan (five each).

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

Betting courtesy of Paddy Power