Dundalk are looking to take another step on the road to their third Premier Division title in a row when they visit Longford Town this evening.
After a surprise loss to Sligo Rovers, Stephen Kenny’s men bounced back with impressive wins over Cork City and Shamrock Rovers.
Those results leave the Lilywhites four points clear of City with four games to play.
Tonight’s game is the first of four in eight days, including the visit of Zenit St Petersburg on Thursday in the Europa League.
Defender Brian Gartland, who scored Dundalk’s first goal against the Hoops, said: “Longford scored three against us in Oriel and they have a lot of pace in the team. They can and have caused us some problems this year.
"We are fully focused on getting the three points. It’s going to be a difficult one but we are in good form and hopefully we can win going into Zenit on Thursday."
Dundalk will be without injured captain Stephen O’Donnell who suffered a hamstring injury on Friday night after just 13 minutes while Sean Gannon misses out once again with a calf injury.
A defeat for Longford will see them relegated to the First Division.
Team news to follow if available...
Second-place Cork City travel to Inchicore to face St Patrick's Athletic knowing that they need Dundalk to slip up twice to have any chance of winning the title.
The sides met at this venue in the FAI Cup semi-final two weeks ago, when the Leesiders recorded a comfortable 3-1 win.
Manager John Caulfield said: “I think it will be a different type of game to the cup game. The fact that they can’t qualify for Europe takes the pressure off them.
“While Dundalk are in the driving seat, it would be wrong of us not to push it right to the end.
"There are 12 points to play for, and we know that we need to keep the pressure up and try to force it to the last week of the season.”
John Dunleavy, Alan Smith, John Kavanagh, Kevin O’Connor, Alan Bennett, Kenny Browne are all injured.
Pat's were beaten 2-1 in Bray on Friday and currently sit in eighth in the table. Keith Treacy is rated as doubtful.
Meanwhile, the FAI has confirmed the dates for the First Division play-off.
Cobh Ramblers will face Drogheda United with the first leg taking place on Saturday at St Colman's Park with kick-off at 7.15pm.
Cobh will then travel to United Park for the second leg on Friday, 28 October with kick-off at 7.45pm.
In the event of the scores being level on aggregate after the completion of the second leg match, then extra-time will be played.
If the scores are still level, then a penalty shoot-out will take place in order to determine the winners of the tie. Away goals rule does not apply.
The winners will play the 11th placed Premier Division club over two legs in the Promotion/Relegation Final.
