A crowd of 7,500 will be on hand for the first major Dublin derby of the season as Shamrock Rovers host Bohemians at Tallaght Stadium.
Undoubtedly the showpiece league fixture in Ireland, the early season nature of the game does not take anything from its importance.
Before rivalry comes in it, the champions have lost two of their first four matches this campaign.
Two wins came at home to expected relegation candidates and this begins a run against more seasoned sides like Bohs, Dundalk and Sligo Rovers in the space of a week.
The Hoops remain huge favourites to retain their crown but after breezing through the second part of 2021 on the league front, a glimmer of light has emerged for the chasing pack.
Shamrock Rovers looked to have an edge in these individual games but Bohs once again brought some headaches last season, namely in a feisty FAI Cup clash which still leaves strong feelings within both camps.
Promise Omochere received a controversial second yellow card in Finn Park last week and will be a loss for the visitors.
Stephen Bradley continues to try to juggle his riches in midfield. Last season's top scorer Danny Mandriou has been substituted in both defeats, raising eyebrows, while Richie Towell was not even summoned from the bench in Inchicore last week.
Most of all, this is an occasion to behold for the league. The other four matches in the division may not accumulate the attendance in south Dublin and most certainly not even close to the atmosphere.
THE GAMES
Drogheda United v Sligo Rovers, Head in the Game Park, 7.45pm
Drogheda United had a welcome first win of the season and did so in style last week, with over 2,000 fans watching on.
Chris Lyons hit a brace to show he will once again be a big asset to the Boynesiders. Losing at home to Shelbourne put a lot of pressure on the game against the Students, so points on the board would certainly have come as a relief to Kevin Doherty.
Sligo made it back-to-back scoreless draws last week at home to Dundalk, with a poor playing surface contributing to a rather dull affair.
Nevertheless, they can be pleased with their unbeaten start three matches in.
Robbie McCourt and Greg Bolger return to the squad after both players missed out last week due to injury.
Canadian striker Jordan Hamilton came off the bench for his debut.
Bit O' Red boss Liam Buckley said: "It was a tough start to the season facing three of the teams who’ll look to be competing at the top end of the table. I felt like we did well in those games and defended quite well, but we know there is also improvement in the group in relation to where we want to be.
"It was great for the fans to have the team coming back to The Showgrounds last weekend and to their credit they came out in big numbers to support us. Our last couple of away games we had a great away support and I’m sure tomorrow will be no different, we’re looking forward to it.
"Drogheda had a fine season last year and will be looking to do better again. They’ve lost some players but they’ve also added some quality and looking at them so far, we know we’re in for a difficult game."
Finn Harps v St Patrick's Athletic, Finn Park, 8pm
Ryan Connolly took the bull by the horn last week when Finn Harps desperately needed some inspiration.
Trailing 1-0 and having not hit the net so far this season, the Mayo man's individual goal helped Harps rescue a draw against Bohemians and avoid being rooted to the bottom of the table.
It was a battle to get there and the manner in which his side are competing will please Ollie Horgan.
Goals are not easy to come by so far and it will be another tough ask as St Patrick’s Athletic visit.
There is a familiar theme of ups and downs in the division so far and the Saints sum it up.
The opening night win in Tolka Park brought a high which was followed by back-to-back defeats.
🗣️ "𝙃𝙚'𝙨 𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙩𝙡𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙩𝙤𝙥 𝙘𝙤𝙧𝙣𝙚𝙧!"
— Finn Harps FC (@FinnHarpsFC) March 5, 2022
Ryan Connolly's superb strike finishes off a great team move to level the scores last night 💥
The Héry through ball 🤌#UTH 🔵⚪️ pic.twitter.com/3YnnNaUSUg
Chris Forrester then saw off Shamrock Rovers last week in front of a packed Richmond Park and once again all is well in Dublin 8.
Games such as tonight are the test for Pat’s and if they can add more points and keep up at the top of the table.
Jamie Lennon (foot) is the only absentee for Pat’s. On-loan Adam O’Reilly filled in last week and impressed.
Saints assistant boss Jon Daly is wary of the trip to Ballybofey: "It will be a tough game up at Finn Harps. I've spoken to a few buddies of mine that have played them, and they said they're a tough team.
"But I think if we play how we played against Rovers, I don't have a doubt that we can get something out of the game.
"Obviously, we have a very strong team, and I am confident going into the game.
"Going into every game, you need to be 100% ready because you just don't know what could happen, especially in this league. It's very unpredictable but we are raring and ready to go."
Regan Donelon, Erol Erdal Alkan, Filip Mihaljević, Ryan Rainey and Barry McNamee are doubts for Harps.
Manager Ollie Horgan thinks St Pat's "will be coming up here full of confidence after defeating Shamrock Rovers last week.
"They've had some turnover themselves but have brought in huge quality in the likes of Eoin Doyle who had a great career over in England, and Mark Doyle who was a huge thorn in our side last season."
UCD v Derry City, UCD Bowl, 7.45pm
It's somewhat worrying for UCD early in the season. Four games down, at a time when they need to put points on the board, and they only have two to show for it.
They came in scoreless games at the Bowl against teams considered to be their relegation rivals in Shelbourne and Finn Harps, so the question comes of where will they pick up that first success.
It’s going to be tricky against high-flying Derry City tonight. It was a good sign for the Candystripes that they didn’t play well against Shels last week but managed to edge out a 1-0 win late on.
Despite the loss of Ciaron Harkin to a long-term injury, City remain strong and will be confident of maintaining their place at the division’s summit.
However, manager Ruaidhri Higgins has still been somewhat taken by UCD.
Outside of the box volley? Yes, go on then.
— SSE Airtricity League (@SSEAirtricityLg) March 5, 2022
It wasn't the best night for @UCDAFC but Liam Kerrigan's instinctive first-time finish is quite incredible 🙌#LOI | #LOITV pic.twitter.com/8FQGPyAiSH
"We've watched their games and even on the opening night against Shamrock Rovers they could easily have been two goals up before Rovers scored.
"If you look at the players UCD have developed in the past 20 years you'll see a club that has always produced high quality talent. I have no doubt some of the current squad will fall into that category too so yes, I'm expecting them to be dangerous opponents."
The City manager was keeping his cards close to his chest regarding his player availability, including whether or not Michael Duffy would make his first appearance back in Derry colours.
"Michael hasn't been far away for the past few matches and we'll make a decision on him on Friday morning. We have a couple of lads carrying minor knocks as well and have been monitoring things day by day.
"Ciaron Harkin is our only long term injury but we'll see how things are before we travel and decide from there."
Derry have two two home games against Drogheda and Pat’s the following week, and with Shamrock Rovers facing difficult opponents as well, it could well be an opportunity to grow a lead.
Shelbourne v Dundalk, Tolka Park, 7.45pm
Stephen O'Donnell felt there was little to take from last week’s draw in Sligo because of the condition of the pitch, but Dundalk did come away with a clean sheet and a point.
After fears it would take time to gel their new players, it has been more than a good start for the Oriel Park side.
This will be another difficult away assignment. Shelbourne are finding it difficult to create goalscoring opportunities under new boss Damien Duff.
They came close to frustrating Derry City last week but in the end left empty-handed and they’re certainly discovering the difficult nature of the Premier Division.
It leaves an intriguing clash tonight.
Duff says his squad are "chomping at the bit" heading into a big few days, with Bohs away following hot on the heels of this fixture. However, the manager was keen to stress that they couldn't "look past" the Dundalk match-up.
"The fans have been amazing and we'll be looking forward to feeding off their noise tomorrow as they’re our 12th man. We’ll the energy that they give us," he said.
"I said it last week that this is the most exciting time of the week when all the hard work is done and we now have three games in a matter of days so it’s great," he told shelbournefc.ie.
Shelbourne will be without Shane Griffin and JJ Lunney while they welcome back Daniel Carr into the fold.
"I'm expecting a very tough game," said Dundalk boss O'Donnell. "Shels have taken four points from their opening four matches and were unlucky not to get anything from their two home games. They don’t give up a lot of chances and it’s going to be a very competitive game.
"From our point of view, we’ve built up a bit of momentum so far and the players' attitude and application have been brilliant and we’ll be looking to keep that going."
Dundalk hope to have Brian Gartland and David McMillan available after both players missed the 0-0 draw in Sligo through illness while Darragh Leahy is also closing in on a return.
The Lilywhites are unbeaten so far this season but have struggled to turn draws into wins with just one victory from their four games to this point.
Patrick Hoban believes that Dundalk should have more to show for their efforts thus far.
"We've made a good start but looking back we should have beaten Derry City on the opening night. The draw against Bohemians was maybe a fair result and then we beat Finn Harps.
"Last week in Sligo was difficult. It was one of those nights where you don’t play much normal football and have to play territory football."
Manager O'Donnell is expecting a testing encounter. "Shels have taken four points from their opening four matches and were unlucky not to get anything from their two home games," he said.
"I was at their game last week with Derry and you can see that no team will get anything easy against them. They don't give up a lot of chances and it’s going to be a very competitive game.
"From our point of view, we’ve built up a bit of momentum so far and the players’ attitude and application have been brilliant and we’ll be looking to keep that going."
Shamrock Rovers v Bohemians, Tallaght Stadium, 8pm
The corresponding fixture last year saw an under-pressure Bohs lead through Ross Tierney, only to succumb to a fightback which was aided by a red card to James Finnerty and penalty converted by Graham Burke.
It was a very exciting game and it feels inevitable this one will go that way.
Since that match last April, Bohs have had three home wins and taken a point in Tallaght.
This year, it's the home side who have had the slower start in terms of racking up defeats.
Hoops boss Stephen Bradley does not feel his side deserved to take nothing from the game in Inchicore.
He said: "I felt that we deserved to win on the night, and when I watched it back, I felt the same way. I thought that we were very good, created a lot of opportunities, played well, and looked like we were getting back to our levels. Sometimes it just happens that you don’t get the result, but really happy with the performance.
"We could have finished the game in the first-half and it would have been over by half-time. Even in the second half we had chances, Andy Lyons had two, Barry Cotter and Sean Hoare had headers. Just throughout the game we didn’t take our chances, but if we produce that every week and keep building on that, the results will look after themselves."
Bradley feels the new-look squad at Dalymount Park will bring a tactical change.
"Having watched their last few games, they’ve done well. We know that they’ll bring a different game to us than in their previous games, so we have to respect that and be ready for them.
"We’ve come from a sold-out Dublin derby last weekend to another sold-out derby this weekend.
"They are the type of games that you want to be around and involved in; they get you excited. It’s great to see that we’re playing in front of sold-out crowds every week."
For Bohemians, Promise Omochere is suspended, while James Finnerty (knee) and Junior Ogedi-Uzokwe (ankle) are ruled out.
Liam Burt (groin) returned to training this week and is available for selection for the first time this season.
"It’s the start of the season and you have two teams with optimistic views for the year ahead. Rivalries aside, you just want to win at this stage of the season," said Bohs midfielder Kris Twardek.
"It is too early to make judgments as to where teams are at. Things will shape up after 15 games or so. For us, if we can beat the top teams - obviously St Pat’s was a great result - then it is a great confidence boost for us to move forward.
"It has been a good week and we have been able to lock in on what is an important game.
"I feel good and fresh. It’s nice to get a full week’s preparation for this game rather than the back-to-back Friday-Monday games we had last week, which was more about trying to recover than working on things on the pitch."
