The Premier Division is beginning to take shape in line of many of the early-season predictions as the halfway stage approaches.
Shamrock Rovers and Derry City occupy the top two positions for a likely title race, with the latter currently leading the way by a single point.
The Hoops can regain top spot with a draw or better in Cork tonight.
The race for Europe could be between several sides. Bohemians have the advantage over St Patrick's Athletic and Dundalk in that particular fight.
Shelbourne have emerged as a surprise contender as well sitting just two points off the top four.
The four teams formed two fixtures last week and do so again tonight.
Bohemians, who came back from 2-0 down to rescue a draw away to Dundalk, host Shelbourne at Dalymount Park in a match live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player.
Jon Daly will take charge of his first game as St Patrick's Athletic manager when the Lilywhites visit Inchicore.
Daly has enjoyed a good start to life as number one and convinced the Pat's hierarchy to give him the job.
With the new manager bounce already secured, it will be interesting to see how the Saints hold up that form.
The relegation picture was expected to contain a few sides with UCD likely to occupy bottom spot.
It is the case with College now six points from the play-off position and 11 from safety.
They face a pivotal game against a Drogheda United outfit coming off the back of one of their best wins so far in the decade in Tallaght Stadium.
Cork City are the other side firmly in the relegation mix. They dragged Sligo Rovers closer to that position with a win last week, the only downside being Drogheda's success cancelling it out in theory.
It will be much harder against the Dublin Rovers tonight, who have their eyes on the big prize again.
All games kick-off at 7.45pm. Join Tony O'Donoghue and guests from Dalymount Park for live coverage of Bohs v Shels on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player.
Bohemians v Shelbourne, Dalymount Park, 7.45pm, RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player
A sold out Dalymount Park will watch the meeting of Bohemians and Shelbourne.
The visitors saw their nine-match unbeaten run in the league come to an end last week.
Despite that, Shels boss Damien Duff remains upbeat about his side, especially as they can move to within two points of their opponents with a win.
"Last Friday is parked, forgotten about. Lads have quickly changed their focus to this, you have to, it's a massive Dublin derby", Duff said, reflecting on last week’s loss.
"First and foremost, we need to play with a real edge, a proper hunger and desire, a want to find a way to win the game, any win will do. Dublin derby home or away, they're not going to be pretty.
"We hope the quality comes because we have some beautiful players, but above all else I want to see us win the battles. The message to the players, anything in front of you, you win it, come out on top in your your duels, do the ugly stuff, there’s no right or wrong way to get a win, I want us to do what is needed to beat what's in front of you."
Duff is keen to take his time with some big players on the way back to fitness.
Cian Leavy and Paddy Barrett remain sidelined but Sean Boyd and Gavin Molloy returned to light training this week. Neither are expected to be involved in Dalymount.
He said: "We're hopefully going to get some of the long term lads back on the bench before the break, for tomorrow it’s pretty much as we were for the Pats game.
"We’re not rushing guys, it’s great to see Conor Kane did well last Sunday, he played an hour and that’s off the back of 45 minutes the week before. It’s another step on the ladder."
In the home dugout Declan Devine is taking positives from his side's display - even if good results haven't always followed recently.
They came from two goals down in Dundalk to get a point and he sees Friday's match as an exciting prospect.
Devine added: "I'm really looking forward to the game. We want to build on our performance from last week. We know we didn't start the game particularly well but I think our performances over the last three games has been very positive without getting the points we would like.
"That is the nature of this league. You have to accept when things aren't going your way you put it to bed and look forward. We want to try to get three points in this one.
"Shelbourne are on a good run of form themselves. Damien has his team set up really well. It'll be a difficult game. But we're good at home as well so we have to understand that on their day are as good as anything in the league.
"We'll be going flat out and working extremely hard to try to take three points out of the game."
Cork City v Shamrock Rovers, Turner's Cross, 7.45pm
Shamrock Rovers bring a formidable away record to Turner's Cross tonight.
The Hoops have conceded just two goals in eight matches on the road, taking 18 points from a possible 24. They're on a run of six clean sheets.
Unusually it has been Tallaght where the defence has struggled.
Stephen Bradley: "We definitely know why that is and we need to work on putting that right. We're well aware of why that's happening but it's all well and good understanding what's been causing us one or two problems at home, in terms of giving up goals, we have to put it right and we just need to tidy up in some areas.
"Drogheda's two goals are two good goals from their point of view but poor from our point of view. In several areas for them we were really poor and, to be fair to Drogheda, they punished us."
Lee Grace is suspended for this fixture while Trevor Clarke is doubtful due to injury.
Bradley was a composed figure when the champions were dropping points earlier in the season. Derry have edged ahead but he is unflustered by what is happening elsewhere and focused on bringing home the points from Cork.
He added: "I've no doubt it'll be difficult, I think we've seen that in any every game we've played this year and I don't think Friday will be any different.
"We watched Cork last week and they were very good. They deserved to win and should have won by more. So we're under no illusions, we're going into a tough game. If we bring our performance level from Friday and tidy up in both boxes, we'll be okay."
"I think you have to enjoy going to places like Turner's Cross because you know that the Cork fans are passionate, and they always get crowds.
"That's always nice and the pitch is usually decent and a good place to go and play. Our fans always travel in their numbers and I've no doubt they'll travel in their numbers on Friday and back the team until the final whistle. Hopefully we can send them home with three points."
Liam Buckley and Richie Holland continue in charge of City.
Josh Honohan returned from suspension but Cian Coleman has one more match to go. Matt Healy also has a one-game ban following his red card last week.
Ally Gilchrist also makes a welcome comeback.
Holland said: "I think they've set the standard the last couple of years. They have some outstanding individuals and have put in numerous high-quality performances in the league and Europe. It's the ultimate test but one to look forward to.
"They created enough chances against Drogheda and Drogheda were good defensively and in counter-attack situations.
"The three games we've done at home we've had clean sheets. That is the basis for everything
"We need to concentrate throughout the 90 minutes, focused defensively and make sure there are no individual mistakes.
"It's a massive challenge one but one we are looking forward to. We're going to have to be at our best."
St Patrick's Athletic v Dundalk, Richmond Park, 7.45pm
St Patrick's Athletic and Dundalk are level on points coming into this game. This fixture always has spice from Stephen O’Donnell visiting the club he walked out on having won the FAI Cup final.
The teams even have the same goal difference, despite a 10-goal swing when the Lilywhites had a 5-0 success earlier in the season.
Jon Daly is now the main man in the Pat’s dugout and he is excited to officially be boss for the first time in Dublin 8.
Daly said: "It's a fantastic feeling to be the St Patrick's Athletic manager and to be trusted to step in on a full-time basis to take the club forward, I'm obviously very honoured and humbled by that decision and I'm looking forward to the weeks, months and years ahead.
"We've been happy with our performances over the last four games and have picked up three important wins.
"The attitude of the players has been excellent and we'll be looking to keep that going, starting on Friday against Dundalk in front of another big crowd at Richmond Park.
"Our supporters have been fantastic, as they showed again at Tolka Park on Friday, it makes a huge difference to the players on the pitch and we are looking forward to being back at home in Inchicore on Friday."
Captain Joe Redmond (hamstring) is still sidelined while Mason Melia is away on international duty with the Ireland U17s ahead of their European Championship quarter-final against Spain on Saturday.
Dundalk could be set for another good run in the league with a number of players set to return.
Darragh Leahy, Rayhaan Tulloch and Greg Sloggett all resumed training this week while Andy Boyle and Louie Annesley are also closing in on a return to full fitness.
"It’s great to have so many bodies back," said Dundalk FC head coach O’Donnell.
"It’s the first time all season really that we have looked so full numbers-wise.
"The players that were out for a period of time are coming back with real enthusiasm and are delighted to be back out on the pitch and that rubs off on everyone.
"We’ve had some really good sessions this week and we’re looking forward to the game on Friday. We’re looking a lot more fuller and we’ll have a lot more options."
Robbie Benson, John Mountney and Anthony Moyo remain out.
