Galway United v Dundalk, 8pm
Galway United welcome Champions League contenders Dundalk to Eamonn Deacy Park.
United, who currently sit in fitth place in the Premier Division table, won their last home outing against Wexford Youths 4-2, but last week they were held by Longford Town at the City Calling Stadium in a frustrating 1-1 draw.
After that draw manager Tommy Dunne called for more consistency from his side.
"The reason teams are in the top half is they have that level of consistency, they perform at a level for more sustained periods. We need to make sure that we're a little more consistent in our performances," he said.
Young attackers Padraic Cunningham (groin) and Jesse Devers (broken hand) are both ruled out, while Stephen Folan and Gary Shanahan are doubts.
On Tuesday evening, the Lilywhites made history by becoming the first Irish club to qualify for the UEFA Champions League play-off round. They defeated BATE Borisov of Belarus 3-0 on the night, overturning a 1-0 deficit from the away leg.
They will face Legia Warsaw for a place in the Champions League group stages, but have already guaranteed a place in the Europa League.
But it's back to domestic action for the Louth side and boss Stephen Kenny reckons the buzz of their international run will aid his team.
“The adrenaline from the other night can help us and give us energy going into the game. It’s a very important game for us,” he said.
"We have to bring ourselves back down to earth quickly for. Galway United are fifth in the table and pushing for Europe so we will get a tough game down there.
"We have experience of this, the run of matches, and we are capable of keeping it going but we have to focus quickly."
Dundalk have Brian Gartland ruled out as he continues his recovery from a broken wrist, while Ronan Finn misses out with the groin injury that forced him off on Tuesday night.
Bohemians v Finn Harps, 7.45pm
Bohs boss Keith Long has told his players to go out and stamp their authority on the game against Finn Harps.
The past fortnight has seen two key performers, Dave Mulcahy and Ayman Ben Mohamed, depart the club.
But Long maintains there is enough quality in the squad to step up and fill the void left by departures, suspensions and injury.
He said: "We are expected to win at home to Finn Harps. They are above us in the table, but a win would see us leapfrog them.
"To do that, we need to work hard to stamp our authority on the game. We have some good, quality players in this squad but they have to go out and show it."
Keith Buckley and Dan Byrne are suspended, while Dylan Hayes (ankle) remains out.
Harps boss Ollie Horgan (above) and his assistant Paul Hegarty faced a big challenge this week to get their players over the very disappointing Wexford Youths defeat.
And there is the added blow of being without dependable defender Damian McNulty for up to eight weeks due a knee medial ligament injury.
But, as Horgan said earlier this week the team has to move on now and try to get something out of the Bohs match, which won’t be easy.
He said: “Obviously Bohemians away is a very difficult fixture for any team in the league and even more so for us.
"They have some very talented and experienced players and physically are very strong thrown on top of that. They should have beaten us in Ballybofey where they missed a penalty in last minute of injury-time.”
Gareth Harkin is also unavailable through injury for the visitors.
Derry City v St Patrick's Athletic, 7.45pm
Derry host Pat's at the Brandywell and will look to build on a defence that has kept six clean sheets out of seven, including a 0-0 draw away to Sligo Rovers last time out.
The Saints’ trip to the Brandywell is the first game back at the Foyleside venue for midfielder Mark Timlin (above), the Buncrana-born man returning having joined the Inchicore side at the beginning of the season.
Speaking to stpatsfc.com ahead of the match, Timlin admitted that while it will be a different experience for him, he remains fully focused on the job at hand.
“Friday will be a new experience for me going back to the Brandywell and walking into the away dressing room," he said.
"I know an awful lot of the people at in the football club and some of the players very well. It’ll be an adjustment for me, but I’ll also have a lot of family at the match and they’ll all be cheering for Pat’s.
"Similarly, my sole focus is Pat’s and working hard to get the three points.”
Manager Liam Buckley has a fully fit squad to choose from.
Shamrock Rovers v Longford Town, 8pm
Rovers come into this game looking to better last week’s result as the Hoops could only draw against Bray Wanderers.
The Dublin side are currently sitting fourth with a total of 33 points, five points away from third place Derry City, with two games in hand on the Ulster team.
"We need to win, there’s no other way of putting it,” interim boss Stephen Bradley said.
“I think the lads, and the staff, know themselves that our first half performance last week was nowhere near good enough.
"We’re better than that. Our second half performance was better, so we need to start the game right."
Luke Byrne misses the rest of the season with injury, while Evan Osam won't be fit for this fixture.
Longford Town currently sit bottom of the pile in 12th spot with a total of 10 points.
"As a player I was always under pressure, but I delivered. I will deliver again now," stated defiant Town manager Tony Cousins.
Kealan Dillon and Cody Mulhall are injured, while suspension keeps Kevin O'Connor out.
Wexford Youths v Sligo Rovers, 8pm
Wexford currently sit second from bottom and two points behind Bray, who are not in action this weekend due to Cork's Europa League involvement on Thursday.
They come in on the back of an impressive 1-0 win away to Finn Harps last week.
Ahead of the match, Shane Keegan said: "We were taken to pieces the last time we played Sligo and we learned some hard lessons.
"They'd got some real quality but I think we'll be better organised to deal with them this time around.
"The win in Donegal was a big one for us and we were unlucky not to take something out of the Pat's game so we seem to be coming back into a bit of form."
The Youths will still be without Danny Ledwith, Eric Molloy and Conor Whittle due to injury, while Paul Murphy returns to the squad from a two-match suspension
Sligo Rovers have added to their squad ahead of the trip to the south east.
The Bit O'Red have signed American midfielder Pat McCann (above), who was previously with Finn Harps and may make his debut tonight.
Speaking ahead of the game and also welcoming McCann to the Showgrounds, manager Dave Robertson said: "It was great news to finally get Pat McCann's international clearance this week.
"He's a good versatile player who gives us the energy and guile we need. He's impressed in the games he's played against Galway and Limerick."
Rovers will be without both Gavin Peers and Jimmy Keohane due to an accumulation of yellow cards. Regan Donelon also misses out due to a hamstring injury.
