Bray Wanderers v Dundalk (Live on RTÉ2 and online on RTÉ Player), 7.45pm
Bray Wanderers and Dundalk go into their penultimate game of the season on Friday night in front of the RTÉ cameras at the Carlisle Grounds, both desperate for wins for very different reasons.
A victory for Dundalk could see them crowned league champions if Cork lose to Bohemians, while a win for Bray would see them secure their 11th consecutive season in the Premier Division.
The Seagulls are able to welcome three players back from suspension as captain Dave Webster and defenders Shane O'Connor and Niall Cooney are all available having missed the trip to Tallaght Stadium last Friday night.
Striker Ismahil Akinade, however, will be absent once again as he serves the final game of his suspension following his sending off in Drogheda.
On the injury front Adam Hanlon, who was stretchered off in the second half last week against Shamrock Rovers with a knee injury, is a doubt but no decision on his availability will be made until just before kick-off.
Dundalk come into the game on the back of a scoreless draw with Shamrock Rovers and while defender Sean Gannon was disappointed with just a point, it was a result that still leaves the league title's destiny in Dundalk's hands.
"The disappointing thing is that we didn't win the game but I suppose the positive thing is that we are still in the driving seat. That’s the positive thing we can take out of it," Gannon said.
"This team will always keep going. You can guarantee that. Win, lose or draw this team will keep going. Bray Wanderers have beaten us this year - just one of the three teams to have beaten us so we definitely won’t be taking them for granted. We can just concentrate on our job and that’s what we'll do."
Manager Stephen Kenny has to plan without the services of striker David McMillan, who has been ruled out for the season after surgery on an ankle ligament injury he picked up away to UCD just over two weeks ago, while Simon Kelly is doubtful with a persistent calf problem.
Captain Stephen O’Donnell has completed his recovery from the serious knee injury he picked up last April as he featured in both games last weekend including a half an hour on Monday evening against Shamrock Rovers.
Cork City v Bohemians, 7.45pm
Cork City fans will have one eye on the scoreline at the Carlisle Grounds hoping that their side can capitalise on any potential slip-up from Dundalk with a victory over Bohemians.
This is a must-win game for City as even a draw would prove costly given Dundalk's superior goal difference and manager John Caulfield is not expecting an easy game against the Gypsies.
"They have taken points off all of the top teams. We need to play with a really high intensity and be up for the game from the start," he said.
"We are up against a team that we haven’t beaten yet this season; they have caused us a few problems, but we had a similar situation with Sligo and we beat them a couple of weeks ago, so we will be hoping that we can play well, because we will need to play well to beat them."
Josh O'Shea and Gearóid Morrissey are both rated as doubts ahead of the game, while Danny Morrissey and Michael Rafter are both definitely ruled out.
Meanwhile, Bohemians manager Owen Heary insists it's just another game for his side and that they will be unfazed by their opponents’ need for maximum points.
"We know there’s going to be a big crowd there, and they’re vying for the title. We expect a very tough game but there will be a bit of doubt in their minds, from the fact that they haven’t beaten us this season," said Heary.
"They’re a physical team, they’re strong, and they’ll go out to win the game. But the three points are as vital to us as they are to them. We want to move up the table."
Heary has a weakened squad, missing Aidan Price and Paddy Kavanagh through suspension, and Derek Pender (calf) and Dan Byrne (cruciate) through injury. Roberto Lopes has exams on Friday evening, meaning four potential defenders are missing.
As Paddy Kavanagh is ruled out, Kevin Devaney returns from a toe injury to resume his raiding runs down the wing. Dave Mulcahy comes back from suspension and will be in the reckoning for a role in midfield or defence.
Derry City v UCD, 7.45pm
The Students go to the Brandywell still very much in relegation trouble, just one point ahead of bottom side Athlone.
Manager Aaron Callaghan knows the challenge his side face against an in-form Derry City side, who face St Patrick's Athletic in the FAI Ford Cup Final.
"Derry will be full of confidence going into this game after a brilliant cup run will see them face St Patrick's Athletic in the final in two weeks. All of their players will be looking to play their way into that squad with their performances over the remaining games, starting with us," he said.
Callaghan will serve the first game of his three-game touch line suspension against Derry, with his assistant Colin O'Neill taking over the match-day duties.
Mark Langtry is back fit and could start after he was named on the bench for last week's game against Cork City.
Dean Clarke will, however, continue to miss out for the Students with a back injury. While Tomas Boyle has returned to training but remains a doubt for the game. Samir Belhout is suspended after he was sent off for two yellow cards against Cork City.
Bench collapses during @derrycityfc cup final photo, leads to best team shot ever. pic.twitter.com/tSMVlVbXwy
— Newstalk's Team 33 (@teamthirtythree) October 17, 2014Defenders Aaron Barry and Ryan McBride are the only absentees for Derry City in their last home fixture of the campaign.
Barry has a knee problem, and is serving a one-game suspension regardless, while McBride has a calf niggle.
"It's been a turbulent season but it would be nice to finish on a high, given we have the Cup final [v St Pat's on 2 November] to look forward to," said Derry boss Peter Hutton.
"It's important we go out in the last home game of the season and give a good performance. It's good to have a bit of momentum at this stage of the season.
"They're desperate to cling on to their Premier Division status so it's going to be a difficult task, as it always is against a young and energetic UCD side."
Drogheda United v Shamrock Rovers, 7.45pm
Drogheda and Shamrock Rovers have little to play for but pride as the sides meet at United Park.
Cathal Brady is the only confirmed injury absentee for Drogheda’s final home game of the season. Michael Daly is also doubtful with a back complaint.
Gavin Brennan will be unavailable as he serves the second match of a five-game ban, while Daire Doyle is suspended having accumulated four yellow cards.
Looking forward to the visit of Rovers, Drogheda manager Damien Richardson said: "Pat Fenlon’s sides are always tough to beat and they have a more cautious approach than previous Rovers sides.
"I’m sure that they will be motivated following the Dundalk game on Monday but we have our own inspiration with it being our last home game of the season. It’s going to be a good test but above all else, we want to send the fans home happy."
The Hoops are guaranteed a fourth-placed finish regardless of the results of their final two games but manager Pat Fenlon is keen to end the season on a winning note.
"We want to finish the season properly and in a positive manner, and that means taking the six points that are on offer," he told Shamrockrovers.ie.
"We know it will be a tricky game against Drogheda on Friday night. They are playing well at the moment and have since Damien came in and Darius before him. It is also a tight pitch, which is usually in their favour. But at a big club like ours, no matter what the season was like, we want to keep going until the end and finish in the right manner."
Fenlon will be without the injured David O'Connor, while Patrick Cregg is suspended.
Limerick v Sligo Rovers, 7.45pm
Limerick manager Martin Russell wants his side to put their “best foot forward” and finish the season “positively”, with their final home fixture of the year against Sligo Rovers.
Both sides have little to play for but Russell is eager for a victory against Sligo to keep up his side's outside chance of a top-five finish.
“We want to try to be competitive and we’ve played one or two players who we wanted to have a look at in the last few games, but we want to finish as high up the league as we can," he said.
"We will try to win both of our remaining games if possible but again we know we’re going to have to play well to do that. We want to finish off with a win in front of our home supporters and that’s our focus now."
Limerick can recall the services of defender Patrick Nzuzi, who missed last week’s trip to Derry City through a one-match ban having accumulated eight yellow cards. The Superblues are now suspension-free.
Russell must again plan without left-back Robbie Williams (hamstring), who has been absent since the win at UCD in early September, and winger Jack Doherty (hip flexor), who suffered his injury in the Munster derby defeat by Cork City last month. Experienced goalkeeper Barry Ryan (shoulder) is also doubtful.
Sligo have had the better of the clashes between themselves and Limerick so far this year with two wins.
On the previous visit to Limerick Paul O’Conor, Aaron Greene and Seamus Conneely made it a 3-0 win. When Limerick came to the Showgrounds the score was 2-0 thanks to Sean Maguire and Danny North goals.
Gary Rogers, Alan Keane, Jeff Henderson, Iarfhlaith Davoren and John Russell are all still absent with injuries. Gavin Peers is also a doubt for the game as he has been troubled by a rib injury this week.
There is better news elsewhere as Regan Donelon is back in the squad after returning from Ireland Under-19 international duty.
Manager Gavin Dykes is expecting a testing encounter but one in which his side can triumph. "Martin Russell has done really well since he has gone there. He is a great footballing man and also a good friend of mine. It will be a tough game but we have a very good recent record against them," he said.
"We will have to keep a close eye on Rory Gaffney, who has been in fantastic form lately. So I think it will be a difficult game but we have a good chance of getting the win."
St Patrick's Athletic v Athlone Town, 7.45pm
St Patrick’s Athletic host Athlone Town with both sides looking for a result for different reasons.
The hosts need only a point to secure European football for next season, while Athlone will be desperate for a win in their increasingly unlikely bid to avoid relegation.
"While a point would do us, we really want to win our final game in Richmond and end on a high," Saints skipper Ger O'Brien told
stpatsfc.com.
"We’ve been very strong at home all season, so it would be disappointing not to finish with a win, especially for our supporters who have been great in getting behind us all season."
In team news, the Saints are without the services of Conor McCormack who serves a one-match suspension, however, James Chambers returns to Liam Buckley’s squad having served a one-match ban in last week’s 3-2 away win against Drogheda United.
Otherwise the Saints manager is hopeful of having a full squad available for selection.
A win for Athlone coupled with UCD dropping points would see the Town move off the bottom spot and manager Keith Long believes they can get something from the game.
"We have to go to Inchicore and give our very best performance on the pitch to get something from the game, which will be tough against a very good St Pat's side, but if we get something when no one expects us to it would be a great boost heading in to the last game of the league proper versus Bray next week," he told Athlone's website.
Long will be without the suspended Brian Shortall after he picked up a red card in last week's defeat to Dundalk.
On the injury front John Mulroy will again be sidelined with an ankle injury. Mark Hughes (hamstring) and Alan Byrne (calf) are both struggling with injury and are considered doubtful.
Galway FC v Shelbourne (Promotion play-off), 8pm
Galway host Shelboune in the first of two crucial games that will decide which of the teams is playing Premier Division football next season.
Galway, who are unbeaten in seven league outings, are going into this encounter bang in form and manager Tommy Dunne insists these are the type of fixtures players and managers want to be involved in.
"That's why we do long, hard pre-seasons. You always want to be involved in the end of a season and have something to play for.
"We've done that. For us, again I'm a bit disappointed we weren't competing for the top spot but that's done and dusted. We need to just push on and see if we can get promoted through the play-offs now.
"It will tough, Shelbourne are probably favourites, they would've had the experience of playing in the Premier Division," Dunne admitted.
The Galway boss will be without the services of both Aaron McDonagh (appendix) and Richard Fahy (groin), however, he can welcome back Ryan Connolly and Marc Ludden who return from suspension.
Shelbourne, who finished three points ahead of Galway in the league to claim second place and a home tie for the second leg, have the slight edge over their opponents so far this season.
Just two weeks ago, Shels and Galway played out a 1-1 draw at Tolka Park. The other three games played between them this season ended in a 1-0 win for Shelbourne in each of their visits to the Galway venue, while the Westerners took all three points from their first visit to Tolka Park in August, courtesy of a 2-4 win.
The visitors have two players suspended for the trip west. Brian Gannon is out after accumulating four yellow cards, while John Sullivan serves an additional game’s suspension having been red-carded in the last game against Galway FC.
Missing through injury will be Darren Tinnelly and Gregg Murray, though back in training following a knee injury received against Shamrock Rovers. Willo McDonagh is rated doubtful.
