The SSE Airtricity Premier Division returns after the international break – a window which several teams had before but others have had to adapt to.
The big hitters in the top flight have long been used to fixture postponements but a planned stoppage in the calendar gives a chance to get a break, while others have been able to work with close to or their entire squad.
After two weeks off, the likes of Sligo Rovers face seven games this month with others six in what is the busiest period of the season.
The champions Shamrock Rovers will look to edge back to the top of the table. Many consider that they have made a slow start with some of their key players out of form.
In golf many consider the third quarter of a tournament to be 'moving day', yet it's the second series of games which truly test teams.
Squads will be tested and whereas the first series brings so much energy and excitement, it will be fascinating to see which clubs can maintain their form.
At the other end of the division, there seemed to be a small shift in the last round of games as Finn Harps scored three times against Shelbourne at Tolka Park and Drogheda United edged Dundalk. UCD also notched a point against Bohemians.
There is now pressure on Shelbourne to respond to that result and they have a difficult task away to in-form Sligo Rovers.
Harps will welcome a big crowd to Finn Park for the visit of Shamrock Rovers, while Tim Clancy takes on his former club and assistant Kevin Doherty in Inchicore as St Patrick’s Athletic welcome Drogheda.
Dundalk go in search of a second win of the season against the Students, who are looking for their maiden victory.
The tie of the night looks to be in Dalymount Park as another Dublin side looking for points, Bohemians, welcome leaders Derry City.
Dropping points in Belfield has led to questions on whether or not the Gypsies are weaker this season and if they can muster a challenge for the top three place.
Keith Long’s side were a penalty kick away from winning the FAI Cup last November and his remarkable work in north Dublin has long been praised.
In a league where resources are increasing, his task has been made more and more difficult each season.
After the disappointment of that result, Derry will be a formidable test but arguably one to lift Bohs with a passionate home support in the sold out Jodi Stand.
Bohemians v Derry City, Dalymount Park, 7.45pm
Bohemians have no need to press the panic button and they were slow starters last year before making up ground along with the Cup run and excellent European performances.
While they did finish fifth, a position one better than the one they occupy currently, it's a stronger league this season and tonight's game and Tuesday's re-arranged fixture in Sligo are important in keeping pace with the top three.
To look for positives, Promise Omochere returned with a goal last time out and James Talbot has been boosted confidence-wise after his Republic of Ireland call-up.
The extra time on the training pitch would have helped Long as he tries to settle his group and formulate a winning side.
Ruadhri Higgins will be delighted by the start his side have made, albeit with the caveat of serious injuries to two key players in Michael Duffy and Ciaron Harkin.
Higgins is wary of a hurting Bohs: "Dalymount is always a difficult place to go and it will be no different this weekend.
"Bohs lost a few players at the end of last season but as always, they have recruited very well.
"They have some of the best young players in the league and there's no doubt they will be up there competing towards the end of the season."
"Obviously our only concern is making sure we’re ready for the game. We’ve started well and we’ll be fully focused on keeping our own run going."
Danny Lafferty will sit out in a hamstring problem but there is much better news on the injury front as Patrick McEleney and Matty Smith have resumed training and could feature.
Rory Feely returns from suspension while Junior Ogedi-Uzokwe could be part of proceedings for Bohs against the club he departed last season.
Finn Harps v Shamrock Rovers, Finn Park, 8pm
Finn Harps celebrated their first win of the campaign in Tolka Park, a result which moved them on to five points from five matches.
Ollie Horgan had been ruing sloppy goals as well as not taking chances in matches so a clean sheet and a clinical performance in the Shelbourne box was very satisfying for the manager and supporters.
They'll need to at their best at both ends to have any chance of a result against the Hoops.
Stephen Bradley was delighted with his side's display in a clash of the Rovers two weeks ago. The home side were unfortunate to be two goals down at the break after Sligo were prolific in front of goal and took advantage of uncharacteristic mistakes.
The visitors had been set to hang on until they conceded a penalty. In the end both sides could take some satisfaction with a draw and now Bradley will be keen for his side to kick on in away matches in Ballybofey and Drumcondra to finish the series.
Bradley is looking for his side to make an early impression: "We know we'll have to go up there and work extremely hard. That’s what the game demands.
"We’ll respect everything they’re going to bring to the game and then impose ourselves on the game as soon as we can. The aim is to go there and win three points."
The Hoops will have Roberto Lopes back from international duty despite breaking a bone in his hand.
Sligo Rovers v Shelbourne, The Showgrounds, 7.45pm
Opportunity knocks for Sligo Rovers as they face three home matches in the space of a week. The draw in Tallaght enhanced their credentials as possible challengers this season with Aidan Keena notching his fifth goal of the season.
Ed McGinty has been the standout goalkeeper so far this year. They have also been aided by New Zealand international Nando Pijnaker.
He is on the verge of some League of Ireland history after helping his nation to a World Cup play-off with Costa Rica.
Should they win, Pijnaker will be come the first player to line out in the Premier Division and play in the World Cup in the same calendar year.
He is back in Ireland after three matches with the All Whites in the last week. It may be a big ask for him to start again tonight with so many games and travel miles in the last week.
One issue for Sligo has been their pitch and it looks set to cause both teams problems tonight.
Shels have, as expected, found the top flight a tough nut to crack so far. Despite the hype around the appointment of Damien Duff, coming up against more seasoned teams was always going to be tough.
Duff has only spoken of his admiration for the Shels group on their application. Character will be needed in abundance to respond in this game.
Liam Buckley has been pleased with what he's seen from his side but knows it is early days:
"The lads have all gelled well as a group and the new lads have settled into the town fairly well and that helps them perform on the pitch.
"We have an honest group who all want to do well for each other and the club and with the fans behind us Friday night we hope to get a positive result. It will be a tough week or so with three games but we'll use the full squad and see how we go.
"Shelbourne are a new team and have had some good performances so far this season. Like a lot of teams including ourselves there are a lot of new faces and no doubt they'll be looking to bounce back from their previous game against Finn Harps so we are well aware of the threats they'll bring."
St Patrick's Athletic v Drogheda United, Richmond Park, 7.45pm
Tim Clancy and Kevin Doherty were in the same dugout but they face off tonight.
Both will be relatively pleased with their starts to the year after an early blip. Drogheda have recorded home wins against UCD and Dundalk but found it difficult away from home.
Pat's have lost three matches but it hasn’t cost them a huge amount as they sit one point ahead of Shamrock Rovers and on the tails of the top two.
Last time out was a kick in the teeth for Clancy’s men after conceding to a stoppage time Will Patching goal in Derry.
The strength of the Saints’ academy was on show in the last week. They had 10 underage internationals from within their ranks as well as on loan player Jack Scott competing for Northern Ireland.
St Pat's and Drogheda met four times last season in the league with the Saints taking the spoils three times against Clancy’s then side.
This time, he is in the home technical area and he admits it’s a 'weird’ scenario.
Clancy said: "Drogheda are coming off a really good win against Dundalk in the Louth derby so it's going to be a really tough game.
"We've had a good week's training this week so we are looking forward to Friday.
"It's going to be a bit of a weird one against my old team, but it is what it is, that's football. I have played against former clubs many times in Scotland and Ireland so it's something you get used to.
"The turnover of players between ourselves and Drogheda from last season is huge, I think it's seven of the starting 11 from last season that we had there, have left, so it's completely different squads.
"They've probably been unlucky in a few of the games where they didn't get anything and they're coming off a huge result so it is going to be a big, big game, and one we are certainly looking at to try and win."
Dundalk v UCD, Oriel Park, 7.45pm
Dundalk's defeat to their Louth rivals came as a real surprise and was a setback, without doing major damage as this early stage in the season.
They remain in the top half and within reach of the leading positions but Stephen O’Donnell will only be too aware that dropping points to teams currently in the bottom four will not serve them well.
Failing to see out a chance of a win in Tolka Park and the defeat in Head in the Game Park shows it will take time for the new look group in Oriel.
The Lilywhites took advantage of the international break to have a friendly rematch with Shels and try to iron out some problems.
Darragh Leahy featured in that game in a boost to O’Donnell. Friday is the first of four home games at Oriel Park in April and the opportunity to make up some of the ground lost in the last couple of weeks.
Joe Adams, Nathan Shepperd and Dan Williams are back from international duty with the Welsh Under-21 team.
Stephen O’Donnell has spoken about the importance of the upcoming period for the Lilywhites.
"UCD are enthusiastic and they carry an attacking threat in their front three positions. They drew 1-1 with Bohemians at Belfield in their last fixture before the break and they arguably could have won the game. They have good footballers and they play with a freedom and they will be no different on Friday.
"For us, it’s a big month ahead with four of our games at Oriel Park on a Friday night. As we have seen in the opening seven rounds, it’s going to be a very competitive league and I don’t think that’s going to change.
"We just need to focus on ourselves and start with performances. There have been some very good moments and there are things we need to work on but, all in all, the players attitude has been great and we’re looking forward to this run of fixtures."
College had their best result of the season by holding Bohemians. Sam Todd hit the target with Andy Myler delighted by how well his side competed.
It will be another test tonight but a first win could lift the Students off the bottom of the table.
