Power issues delayed tonight's meeting between Waterford FC and Derry City but there will be a huge light shone on the RSC at kick-off as the rest of league watches on for a crucial SSE Airtricity Premier Division fixture.
The Blues host the Candystripes at the earlier time of the 6.15pm after the match was deferred due to electrical failure at the venue in recent days.
Those issues have been rectified but the earlier kick-off is out of fairness to Derry due to the heavy travel schedule with another game coming this Friday night.
This match will have a huge say on the outcome of the season as Waterford sit level on points with Finn Harps in the relegation play-off picture, knowing a win would bring several sides back into the mix again.
Harps were held 0-0 by Drogheda United last night in Finn Park, leaving Ollie Horgan’s side in real trouble, while United moved five points clear with three games left to play.
Dundalk could also be dragged back into the race if Marc Bircham’s men can pull off a surprise victory.
For Derry, they remain in the race for third place but Sligo Rovers have finally picked up some results in recent days, meaning they have opened up a seven-point cushion on the teams trying to reel them in for third place.
The Bit O’Red are still in the sights of Derry, however, especially as the teams clash at the Ryan McBride Brandywell next week.
Bohemians continue to struggle, winning just one in the last nine games, so the Candystripes can open up a four-point lead this evening in fourth if they can produce a victory.
Again, dropped points could open up the door for Drogheda or Dundalk, and if St Patrick’s Athletic win the FAI Cup, that fourth place would mean European football next season.
It’s fair to say this is a six-pointer and Derry boss Ruaidhri Higgins knows it’ll be a difficult night for both sides.
He said: "Waterford have been going really well and have turned things right around over the past few months.
"They’re one of the most in-form teams in the country at the minute having recruited well in the summer transfer window.
"It’s a tough game for us in another challenging week but that’s football - it’s our job and that’s just the way it is."
Higgins confirmed that Ciaron Harkin will miss the game through suspension while Marc Walsh is feeling the effects of his return from a longstanding hamstring injury and won’t feature at all this week.
Bircham’s outfit have won five of their last six home games and there is no doubt this is the biggest 90 minutes of their league campaign so far.
He said: "We were disappointed with the Dundalk result but I put that down to tiredness after a busy week with three games and injuries and suspensions. So I’ve given the players that one but we have to be ready for Tuesday.
"It’s all been up the air over the last few days after the big electrical problem in the RSC, so it’s been a strange time not knowing but Tuesday it is so we have to prepare right for it.
"We trained over the weekend to be ready and we know how well we can play. I didn’t think everyone played well on Friday so we’re hoping to get a big home crowd behind us and push us to get more points on the board on Tuesday and Friday [v Shamrock Rovers]. It’ll probably be the highest points total for a team to be in the relegation playoff so we have to keep pushing."
Eddie Nolan, Matthew Connor and Greg Halford are all doubtful with knocks while Prince Mutswunguma misses out. Brian Murphy is suspended.
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