Shamrock Rovers v Bohemians, 8pm
Shamrock Rovers host Bohemians in the first meeting of these two old Dublin rivals this season.
Separated by just one point and with a win a piece and four draws in their last six meetings, there looks to be little between the teams.
The Hoops are unbeaten this season and have conceded just one goal in four games, that coming in Tuesday's 2-1 win in Sligo.
Luke Byrne is a doubt for the game with a hamstring injury.
Bohemian boss Keith Long says his players are "upbeat" ahead of the trip to Tallaght.
Despite suffering a 3-0 defeat to Dundalk on Tuesday, the Bohs manager has pinpointed Friday's clash as the ideal tonic following the midweek result.
"There's no greater opportunity than a game against your biggest rivals to bounce back with a good performance and hopefully a positive result," he said.
"The players are looking forward to the game, nobody is feeling sorry for themselves after Tuesday night. Everybody is upbeat and hopefully we can head to Tallaght with a spring in our step.
"I've been around the league long enough to understand the importance of a Bohs-Rovers derby. The players don't need motivation for a fixture like this - this is what they're in the game for."
Bohs have no fresh injury worries ahead of the game. Long-term absentees Dan Byrne (cruciate) and Dave Mulcahy (calf) remain on the sidelines, while Anto Murphy is suspended following his dismissal against Dundalk.
Galway United v Longford, 7.45pm
Galway United will be looking to record a second straight home league win at Eamonn Deacy Park as they welcome Limerick.
United lost 2-0 away to Cork City at Turner's Cross mid-week after recording a 1-0 win against Drogheda United at home last week - their first points of the season.
Galway United manager Tommy Dunne is hoping his players can make a quick turnaround from the Cork game and is targeting a win.
"We know the Longford Town game is going to be a big one," Dunne said. "Against Cork City, there was some aspects of the game I was pleased with. Again, we need to tighten up from set pieces but at no stage in the game did I think Cork City overly troubled us from open play.
"We have little time to think about the Cork City game, now our focus is fixed on the Longford Town game and on getting another positive result at home, preferably a win."
Dunne has another lengthy injury list to contend with heading in to Friday's game and his cause won't be helped by Ryan Connolly picking up a knock to his hip in Cork. Dunne sees it as opportunity for others players to come in and show their worth.
Longford team news to follow.
Dundalk v Sligo Rovers, 7.35pm
Champions Dundalk are looking to extend their 100% start to the season at home to Sligo Rovers in a game that will be shown live on RTÉ2 and streamed online at www.rte.ie/player.
Dundalk cruised to a 3-0 win over Bohemians on Tuesday and winger Darren Meenan is eager to continue his side's winning run.
"Our aim was to go there and get the three points. Was huge for us to go there and win. Dalymount is a tough place to go, always is and we’re delighted to get the win and keep us going.
“We always look to the next game. It’s one game at a time for us. We have a good record at Oriel recently and we’ll be out to get another three points on Friday. Sligo Rovers are a very good side, we’re looking forward to it. It has been a good start for us. It’s great and hopefully we can keep it going."
Stephen Kenny has got a near full squad to choose from with no players serving suspensions while Stephen O’Donnell once again remains out following knee surgery and he aims to be back in contention over the next few weeks.
Sligo Rovers will be hoping to get a first win of what has been a shaky start to the season which has left them with just two points from four games.
Despite the poor start, manager Owen Heary believes that his side are playing well and if they cut out their defensive errors, results with quickly turn.
"The players aren’t happy with the results lately but they know that they haven’t been playing badly," he said.
"There has just been small defensive errors which are costing us in games. Those mistakes have cost us points in all four games we have played. But we are playing well.
"The players have still been getting on the ball, attacking and being positive. It’s just the little things, particularly defensively that are costing us."
Heary will again be without Jeff ff Henderson (foot)and Richard Brush (shoulder) while John Russell will also miss the trip to Dundalk.
Derry City v Drogheda United, 7.45pm
Derry City will look to get back to winning ways this Friday evening when they play host to Drogheda United in The Brandywell after suffering defeat away to St Patrick's Athletic on Tuesday.
With just one win from four games to their name so far this season, Derry will see this as a crucial game and manager Peter Hutton is expecting a testing encounter.
"I think just last Tuesday night this will be another tough game, in fact they will all be tough games in the league this season," he said.
"Drogheda come into the game after getting a good point at home to Limerick on Tuesday night a game which they had to play with ten men from the 30th minutes, so they will have a boost of confidence.
"We had a decent performance against St Pats but got hit with two goals that we didn't really deal with. The first goal was a great finish but very optimistic. But we had a couple of chances but just didn't show a cutting edge in front of goal."
On the injury front Derry are looking at a sizeable amount of squad missing Friday evenings game. Shaun Kelly, Dean Jarvis, Ryan McBride, Ger Doherty and Philip Lowry are all serious doubts for the game while Stephen Dooley is definitely out.
The Candystripes will however have Mark Timlin back available having served out his suspension on Tuesday evening.
Drogheda salvaged a last-gasp point against Limerick, having been reduced to 10-men on Tuesday thanks to Sean Thornton's late free-kick.
Manager Johnny McDonnell hailed it as a hard-won point and wants to see his side build on that result against Derry.
"The most important thing for us is to take points off the teams around us," McDonnell said Thursday afternoon. "Once we do that, we’ll be ok. I think had we kept everyone on the pitch we would have gone to win the game but it wasn’t to be. I’m happy enough with where we are at and seven points from the first four games is a good start."
"I don’t think Derry have had the best of starts but Peter has a good squad of players at his disposal," McDonnell said. "The Brandywell has always been a difficult place to go but we will go there determined to get something out of the game."
Drogheda will be without the suspended Alan Byrne while both Neil Yadolahi (thigh) and Sean Thornton (hamstring) are unlikely to feature.
SATURDAY
Bray Wanderers v Cork City, 5.45pm
Bray sit rock bottom of the table after four losses and have not even managed a goal in those games.
They have suffered two 1-0 defeats at home, against Drogheda United and Bohemians, while their away fixtures have seen them suffer a 3-0 defeat to St Pat’s and a 2-0 defeat to Longford Town.
David Cassidy and David Scully are out of contention, while Stephen McGuiness, Alan McNally, Graham Kelly are rated as doubtful.
Cork City look to maintain their unbeaten start in the league.
City have recorded wins in their two home games so far, 5-0 against Limerick and 2-0 against Galway United on Tuesday night, while their two fixtures on the road have seen John Caulfield’s side record a 1-1 draw away to Sligo Rovers and a 0-0 draw in Tallaght against Shamrock Rovers last week.
Speaking to the media at the club’s weekly press conference, City boss John Caulfield said he was expecting a tough tie: “Bray is always a difficult place to go, but we need to get a result there. Last year we went to Bray and the weather was horrendous, but we were very strong and mentally focused and we came away with a great 2-0 win.
“We are looking for three points; it is still early but we are looking to keep pace with the leaders. Just like last year, it is likely there will be a split in the league probably after eight or nine games, and you need to be in with the top half because it will open up.”
Michael McSweeney (hamstring) remains sidelined, while Colin Healy (tight hamstring) and Danny Morrissey (knock), who both missed the win over Galway, are considered unlikely to be available.
Limerick v St Patrick's Athletic, 6.30pm
Limerick to follow...
The Saints will be looking for a second successive win in a week following last Tuesday’s 2-0 victory against Derry City, while Limerick will be hoping for a first league win of the season on the back of two draws in their last two outings.
Saints’ manager Liam Buckley outlined to stpatsfc.com that he expects a severe test from Limerick, the Saints having having drawn and lost in their last two games away from home against the Shannonsiders.
“Tuesday was a good victory for us,” Buckley said, “however, we
now need to move on from it and get some consistency in our performances.
"That is what we are striving for now and something that all teams will be searching for as players begin to get their match fitness back.”
Killian Brennan and Conor McCormack are back in contention to play having served one-match suspensions following their dismissals last week in the Saints’ defeat to Dundalk.
Lee Desmond also returns to the match-day squad having been on duty with the Republic of Ireland U21’s on Thursday, while Jason McGuinness and Ger O’Brien face fitness tests following their hamstring injuries.
