Shamrock Rovers versus Bohemians is always a hotly anticipated Dublin derby but tonight's meeting has the added spice of both teams being among the pace-setters in the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division.
Rovers top the pile with 31 points from 12 games, seven points ahead of reigning champions Dundalk, who beat UCD 3-1 on Monday.
Bohs are a point behind the Lilywhites but have a game in hand and the advantage of recent form against their hosts at Tallaght Stadium.
Bohemians have won five of the sides' last six meetings (with one draw), most recently in the 1-0 victory over 10-man Rovers in February.
That remains the only defeat of the season for Stephen Bradley's side however, and they will be keen to make amends and maintain their title push.
We need your consent to load this rte-player contentWe use rte-player to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content.Manage Preferences
Team news
Shamrock Rovers: Sam Bone and Ethan Boyle remain out injured for Rovers, while Greg Bolger is a doubt ahead of the game.
Bohemian FC: Cristian Magerusan (cruciate) is Bohs' only absentee. Skipper Derek Pender and Keith Ward were rested against Dundalk and UCD but both remain available for selection.
Gaffer/player talk
Stephen Bradley (Shamrock Rovers): "It’s a massive game. We’re playing really well and Bohs are doing well too. I watched their game against Dundalk and I thought they should have won, they were good.
"It’s going to be a difficult game but one that we’re more than ready for. Anyone who watched the game in Dalymount in February could see that up until the red card we were excellent and the sending off really hurt us and knocked us back. In the last 15 minutes when we had a go again we were really good and created good chances.
"These games are always lively and feisty anyway. It’s a Dublin Derby, it’s the one that the fans look forward to every year and it’s a big one. We know that.
"You always look back at every game to see how you could have done better and Bohs are no different. Usually these games throw up a different type of game no matter how much you plan and prepare for them."
Aaron Greene (Shamrock Rovers): "These games are always big but this is up with the biggest I’ve known and both teams are playing really well at the moment, it should be a great occasion," said Greene, talking to the Irish Times.
"There a real buzz about it; I’m from Tallaght myself and my son plays for this club so I certainly get that. I’ve played in a few of these games,
"I was at the pig head throwing one. I’ve had a few eventful ones but I was very young back then and you sort off take it all in your stride but now I’m 29 and you realise just what a big thing the games are."
Keith Long (Bohemians): "We're in good form. Both teams have done very well so far this season. There is expectation at both clubs, but we are still underdogs. Rovers are rightly being tipped for the league title. That is to be expected given their level of investment in their squad and the quality of player they've brought in.
"It will be tough. We acquitted ourselves very well in Dundalk last week, deserved a result, but couldn't find the breakthrough.
"We followed that up with a good win against UCD but we were sluggish in the first half - we were much better in the second half - but we will need to start brightly against Rovers.
"Tallaght will be like a cauldron and even more so now with the new South Stand and hopefully we can do our bit to make sure the game can live up to its billing."
