Bray Wanderers and Cork City clash on Friday in the Airtricity Premier Divison, with the sides level on points in the table going into the game.
Not many would have predicted that the Seagulls would have more wins than City at this stage of the season and Friday's game is important for both sides in terms of pulling away from the bottom side UCD.
City found themselves two goals down at home to Derry City inside half an hour in their last match before late goals from Vinny Sullivan and Shane Duggan saw Tommy Dunne’s side rescue a point, the story of an inconsistent season so far.
Bray suffered a disappointing 3-1 defeat to Limerick in the EA Sports Cup on Monday and will hope to make a better start after conceding three goals in the first quarter of the tie.
Defender Pierce Sweeney is Bray's only doubt with illness with a decision to be made on Friday.
John Dunleavy returns from the suspension that saw him miss the Derry game, and with a number of players returning from injury, Dunne has options to choose from going into the game.
Neal Horgan made his first appearance of the season as a substitute against Derry, while Kevin Murray was an unused substitute.
Captain Dan Murray, who has been sidelined for a number of weeks with a groin complaint, has responded well to treatment, and will be assessed.
Shane O’Connor will miss the game due to an arm injury, while Stephen Mulcahy is not yet available for selection. New signing Graham McCarthy comes into contention.
Cork boss Tommy Dunne wants a better opening from his team: “We need to start the game well. Last week against Derry we did not start well and we found ourselves two goals down, so we will want to start a lot better and give ourselves an opportunity to get something out of the game.
"Bray have played two since the break and have lost both of them, so they will be keen to get back on track and I am sure they will also want to start well.”
Bray director of football Pat Devlin has called on his side to rid the erors seen in the defeat to Limerick : “We are looking forward to Cork's visit and we will be hoping to eliminate the silly mistakes and at the Carlisle we will be hoping to get something from the game."
