Finn Harps v Derry, Finn Park, 6pm
Derry City, after their Europa Conference League elimination, make the short distance to take on Finn Harps. Ruaidhrí Higgins' side will now be looking to make sure that they are back in Europe next season, while also keeping tabs on Dundalk.
Second from bottom Harps are 13 points adrift of Drogheda United. At this stage of the season it's about making sure that there is enough daylight between themselves and basement club UCD. Manager Ollie Horgan is all too aware that the opposition will now be determined to close that gap at the top of the table, and wants his side to put in a shift.
He told FinnHarps.ie: "A derby is always a very tough game and Derry are a very serious side. They have depth that will really stand to them despite competing in Europe during the week. Lads like Patrick McEleney have caused us a host of problems over the years and of course we know well the quality that his brother Shane brings too having had him with us the last couple of seasons.
"They'll be eager to maybe get back up nearer the top of the table where they were earlier in the season and will undoubtedly bring a big crowd down the road, so it’s on us to prepare and hopefully put in a shift and send our supporters home happy."
In team news, David Webster misses out through injury, while Dylan Duncan, Filip Mihaljević and Eric McWoods are doubts.
Derry City have brought in attacking midfielder Sadou Diallo joining from Forest Green Rovers.
The 23-year old played alongside Will Patching in the Manchester City Youth Academy and has represented England at underage level.
Despite their Europa Conference exit in Riga, Ruaidhrí Higgins says his squad are now focused on this derby clash.
"Obviously we're disappointed to be out of the competition but we have to focus now on the rest of the domestic season.
"As I said before, games against Finn Harps, whether home or away, have always been very close affairs and I'm expecting nothing less this time.
'We just landed back from Latvia so we will assess things in terms of the squad on Saturday morning.
"I expect it'll be the same squad as Thursday night although Sadou will be added once his clearance is received."
The appearance of Michael Duffy from the bench in Latvia will certainly have lifted the mood among supporters and Derry fans will be hoping to see a lot more of the winger in the second half of the campaign as they aim to close the gap on Shamrock Rovers and Dundalk.
Sligo v UCD, The Showgrounds, 6pm
Sligo are in the midst of the busy European season and given the congestion, they could have done without extra time and penalties against Bala Town in midweek.
That dramatic victory ensured that they will meet Scottish Premiership side Motherwell in the Europa Conference League second qualifying round, with the first leg on Thursday.
Before that though, UCD will visit the Showgrounds in their bid to battle against relegation.
The Students will no longer be able to avail of the services of defender Eric Yoro who has signed for Bolton Wanderers.
Bit O'Red boss John Russell said: ''We have drawn with UCD in our previous two meetings so we know it’ll be another tough game tomorrow evening.
"UCD are known for their attacking style of play so we’ll need to be at our best to get a positive result.
"The players have recovered well over the last two days so we’re all looking forward to getting back out in front of our home fans tomorrow.
"We know we need to keep winning matches to close the gap on the teams above us’’
Russell has a few injury concerns ahead of this one. Colm Horgan is definitely out, having sustained a hamstring injury, while Seamas Keogh and Greg Bolger are also expected to miss out.
