With Bohemians flying high in the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division and Shamrock Rovers having finally got their first win of the season, Friday's Dublin derby is the "most anticipated" in years according to Graham Gartland.
Bohs have made a storming start to the season, winning six games from seven. Meanwhile, despite decent performances up to then, reigning champions Shamrock Rovers had to wait until last Friday's 4-0 win over Dundalk to pick up a first victory of the campaign at the seventh attempt.
With both teams on something of a high, that bodes well for an intense clash between the two rivals at Dalymount Park.
"This is probably the most anticipated derby in a long, long time, considering where Bohs are," former Drogheda United, Longford Town and Shamrock Rovers defender Gartland said on this week's RTÉ Soccer Podcast.
"They're sitting top of the league, won the last four games, have only conceded five goals and scored 12, so they're in a good place and to go to Sligo on a Saturday and pick up a late goal will do their confidence a world of good and they'll be flying high going into this."
Given the nature of derbies, Gartland added that whoever can seize the moment will likely decide which way the bragging rights go in what he predicts will be a "cracker of a game".
But amid the hectic intensity, he also put the spotlight on the tactical flashpoints that are likely to underpin both sides' performances.
"I think with Rovers playing their 3-5-2 and with the two up front, it can be a case that they're matched up evenly in terms of three in midfield," he said.
"Then it's about which (Bohs) full-back breaks out to deal with wing-back and what channel then is covered by Bohs and how the midfield screens the front two.
"If Bohs play two up front, which is (Jonathan) Afolabi and (James) Akintunde, can they run and work into the channels against Rovers?
"Rovers' pace in their team is in their back line. The three lads at the back are really, really quick with (Pico) Lopes due to go back in and (Johnny) Kenny giving them pace at the front.
"But the midfield battle will be interesting. (Keith) Buckley might come back in, Adam McDonnell has been fantastic but the standout for me for Bohs has been Ali Coote. I think he's been fantastic. He's been the driving force from midfield, pushing them forward.
"So it's 4-4-2 or 4-3-3 against 3-5-2 with Rovers playing two up front and three in midfield so it makes for an interesting tactical battle."
Also speaking on the podcast, former Dundalk striker David McMillan said the 10-point gap between the teams in the table takes some pressure off Bohs.
"It does make for a cracking game. Bohs would not have anticipated being three ahead (at the top of the table) and 10 ahead of Rovers, so that does put big pressure on Rovers."
Listen to the RTÉ Soccer podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
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