Having been provided with a timely reminder by Drogheda United in midweek that Sligo Rovers team can be beaten, St Patrick's Athletic head into tonight's game against the league leaders at Richmond Park aiming to maintain a run of three straight wins and end Sligo's storming start to the season. St Patrick's will be in confident form having finally shown they can score a few goals in the game against Shelbourne on Monday.

Liam Buckley's side could have Shane McFaul back while Ian Baraclough is likely to revert to much the same Sligo starting line-up he fielded against Cork City last Saturday after leaving Ross Gaynor, Lee Lynch and Evan McMillan out for the start of the Setanta Cup tie at United Park.

“It was an ideal opportunity for us to give some players 90 minutes last Tuesday,” says Baraclough, “and it allows more options on Friday because I was happy with the fitness of some of the players brought in. Joseph (Ndo) is back in training and getting sharper, whether Friday comes too soon is something we will have to make a decision about.”

At the Brandywell Derry will be looking to keep up the pressure on the leaders by beating Shamrock Rovers who will be hoping for a significantly-improved display on the one against Cork City. Derry manager Declan Devine says: "Between both sides we have only conceded six goals so I expect a tight game."

Starting place
Rory Patterson is in line to start again for the hosts after scoring twice from the spot last week in Dundalk where he didn't look fully fit. Shane McElveney is suspended while Seán Houston is out with a hamstring. Ken Oman misses out for the visitors after limping off on Tuesday night.

Dundalk will be looking to maintain their 100 per cent record on the road when they travel to Dalymount Park but they’ll be without Stephen McDonnell (ankle injury). Chris Lyons returns for Bohemians but Owen Heary is still out.

Shelbourne will look to bounce back from a midweek performance manager Alan Mathews concedes was poor in Cork but they’ll again be without Glenn Cronin for the trip south. Cork have Gearóid Morrissey back from suspension and Tommy Dunne is hoping Shane Duggan will be fit to start but Kevin Murray is still injured and Neal Horgan is again a doubt.

Meanwhile, UCD go to Drogheda still, like Shelbourne, looking for their first win. They'll be without Mick Leahy (knee) or James Kavanagh (suspended) while Mick Cooke has a full strength squad to choose from.
Tonight's fixtures
(7.45 unless stated)
Premier Division: St Patrick's Athletic v Sligo Rovers (7.05); Bohemians v Dundalk; Cork City v Shelbourne; Derry City v Shamrock Rovers; Drogheda United v UCD.