Shamrock Rovers v UCD, Tallaght Stadium, 8pm
Going into Thursday's match at Shelbourne, Shamrock Rovers had two games in hand on Derry City but a stalemate at Tolka Park has reduced their margin of error in the title race.
That leaves Stephen Bradley's side just two points clear at the top of the SSE Airtricity League table with a game in hand over the Candystripes, who have been on a good run of form.
But the schedule is going to get hectic again with home and away matches against Norway's Molde over the next fortnight in between other league meetings, so the Hoops will want to make the most of a home fixture against a side battling at the other end of the table.
However, while UCD crashed out of the Extra.ie FAI Cup after a 4-1 loss to First Division Treaty United, that setback had come after staging a stirring comeback to shock Dundalk in the league, thereby climbing above Finn Harps in the relegation battle.
Do the Students believe that they can cause another upset, this time against the reigning champions?
"Going into the run-in, our league form has picked up a little bit and performances definitely, so going into every game we're looking for three points and hopefully we can get that in the next coming weeks," UCD midfielder Michael Gallagher told RTÉ Sport last week as EA Sports announced the return of the SSE Airtricity League Club Packs in FIFA 23.
"[The Dundalk result] shows the fight in the group to stay in the division now, coming from behind, trailing just before half-time as well which is a tough time to concede. But fair play to the lads, they rallied again and it's a credit to the fitness and the mentality of the players to be able to come back in the last 10 minutes against such a good side."
Watch the full interviews with Michael Gallagher and fellow Donegal man, Finn Harps goalkeeper Gavin Mulreany below:
With UCD fighting for their Premier Division survival, Shamrock Rovers boss Bradley is remaining wary of the potential for an upset.
"I think when you look at UCD's recent results they've had some really good ones. We've got to show up and think we're going to face the best UCD there is," he said.
"We've got to be ready for that and make sure that we're right at our levels because they've shown recently that they're more than capable of beating any team in the league."
While acknowledging that the draw - a "fair result" in his eyes - at Shels was a bit "flat", Bradley is relishing the chance for his side to play in front of their home fans tonight after three away games on the trot in all competitions.
But any talk of pressure building in the title race is given short shrift.
"We've never felt pressure, we've just played what's in front of us and played the game in front of us," he said.
"All the noise and all the talk from people outside has never fazed us. It's about focusing on what's in front of us and wherever that leads us, wherever we end up, we just play the game in front of us."
Justin Ferizaj and Andy Lyons are unavailable to face UCD given their involvement in the Ireland U19s and U21s respectively, while Simon Power remains a couple of weeks away from a return from the injury sustained at Derry in the cup last weekend.
But Richie Towell, Sean Hoare and Roberto Lopes are fit to face UCD, who have Tommy Lonergan - scorer of a vital brace against Dundalk - involved with the Irish U19s. Colm Whelan remains a long-term absentee for the Students.
The past two meetings this season have finished 3-0 to Shamrock Rovers so UCD have work to do to close the gap.
