Shamrock Rovers have flexed their muscles without expending great energy, taking a grip on top spot in the Premier Division ahead of the visit to Oriel Park.
After two shock defeats against struggling sides in May, the Hoops have taken 13 points from 15, with four clean sheets, and opened up a seven-point advantage.
There are just 13 games left despite it still being June with attentions soon to turn to European action.
It's ominous for the rest of the league that Bradley’s men are ticking off some of their most difficult fixtures.
Tonight represents another test against a Dundalk side looking to keep inside the top four.
The teams will meet again in the FAI Cup.
The corresponding fixture in Tallaght was a comfortable win for the champions.
Elsewhere St Patrick’s Athletic will see a golden chance to boost their hopes of becoming a challenger when UCD travel to Richmond Park.
The Saints were disappointed to leave Oriel with just a point on Monday when leading against 10 men but they were far from their best.
Regardless, they are well-placed to clinch another European place and improve on last season.
College had lost eight consecutive games before last week’s win over Sligo Rovers – a rare night of joy in an otherwise difficult year – and they still are 12 points away from their nearest rival.
Derry City need to put a run together if they are to challenge Shamrock Rovers and they also face a tough task tonight.
The Candystripes have yet to find top gear this season even when on a winning run having been hampered by injuries throughout.
Some players are closing on a return but goals have been hard to find, in particular for City.
Shelbourne will be without their manager on the sideline due to a ban. Having flirted with a push for Europe, it's just one win in six for the Reds who need a boost going into remainder of the campaign.
There are two massive games concerning three of the sides looking to avoid the relegation play-off.
The decline of Sligo Rovers has been rapid with four points from the last nine matches. John Russell is just over a year in charge but must be coming under pressure as they drift closer to ninth spot.
Bohs are another side struggling to return to winning ways. They will fancy their chances have already taken maximum points in the early two games.
Cork City confirmed Liam Buckley will remain in charge for the remainder of the season earlier this week.
Their game with Drogheda could have a huge say in the scrap to avoid the play-off.
United have performed very well this year, yet could find themselves with only UCD below them tonight. It's a real six-pointer at the Cross.
Dundalk v Shamrock Rovers, Oriel Park, 7.45pm
Dundalk are running light on attacking options but will looking to all-time leading goalscorer Pat Hoban to try to record an upset tonight.
Cameron Elliott misses out with a calf injury while Rayhaan Tulloch's loan from West Brom is at an end.
Keith Ward and Alfie Lewis are hoping to be involved after sitting out the 1-1 draw with St Patrick’s Athletic on Monday night.
Manager Stephen O'Donnell said: "Rovers will come here and be buoyed by their win over Derry on Monday. Points-wise, they didn’t have a great start to the season, but they’re playing quite well now and they’re one of the teams that can deal with three games in seven days and whatever individuals they play, they’re gonna be strong.
"They’ve been the best team in the country over the last few years and they know how to get their job done in different circumstances but it’s a challenge we’re looking forward to meeting head-on. It’s the biggest game of the season, we’ve 10 points from the last 12 available and we’re looking forward to it."
Shamrock Rovers 1-0 Dundalk
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Aaron Greene taps home Ronan Finn's cross to give the Hoops the lead
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The Hoops also have some injury issues.
Jack Byrne is doubtful while Neil Farrugia will miss out this week. Gary O’Neill, Trevor Clarke and Alan Mannus continue to sit out but Ronan Finn returns.
Bradley is expecting a difficult night.
"Dundalk are a good side, they’re well organised and have some good players. We know that it’s going to be difficult game, it’s never anything but that when you play them, home or away.
"You look at both wings as Daniel Kelly and Ryan O’Kane are good players, and Pat Hoban has scored an incredible number of goals in the league, so he’s always a threat. Then they’ve got good players in midfield so they’ve good players all over the pitch. You have to respect Dundalk and be at your very best if you want to win the game.
"The pitch, it is what it is. You have to play on it. We have a similar surface in the training ground that we can prepare for so there’s no excuses. We’ll definitely look at the load that we’ve had and what’s coming when picking the team."
Shelbourne v Derry City, Tolka Park, 7.45pm
Ruadhri Higgins admits it will be an "uphill task" to win the league from their current position ahead of the clash with Shelbourne.
Derry lacked a real cutting edge in the 1-0 loss to Shamrock Rovers on Monday but the manager did take some encouragement.
"It was a very good performance from us up to a point. We were lacking just a bit in the final third but that's where matches are won or lost.
"It's obviously still there for us and we have the capabilities to go on a run once we get key players back, but we need to start sooner rather than later.
On the team front, Michael Duffy, Patrick McEleney and Will Patching are back training but Higgins has poured doubt on them featuring here.
"We'll be working off the same squad for Friday night and we have to treat it as a 'must-win' game.
"We're in no doubt that it will be a very tough night for us, however three points is our absolute focus," concluded the Derry boss.
Damien Duff will have to plan without Matty Smith, along with the long-term injured players Kian Leavy and Brian McManus:
Duff will also be absent due to his one-game suspension. He was pleased with what he saw on the training pitch during the week.
The Shels boss has been plotting methods to make his side more creative in the final third.
"The lads trained well with great energy, and that was alongside a nice calmness to how they approached the week too.
"I'm trying to take the sting out of it. I want the pressure off the players, I guess you could say it is on me and Ruaidhri Higgins, as well as the Derry players. We have our aims, hopes, and goals, but it’s not an additional pressure. They need to know they can go out and relax. Our guys are good enough without putting that extra pressure on themselves.
"Being brave with the ball is something I emphasised on Thursday morning, especially in the final third of the pitch. It’s evident for everyone to see.
"Our players are coached both with and without the ball, but sometimes that cutting edge, that little gamble you take in a split second, the instinct to try something nobody else would, that can’t be coached. It’s about sensing the opportunity and being brave, but also remaining relaxed in the final third."
Sligo Rovers v Bohemians, The Showgrounds, 7.45pm
If excuses are needed for the poor season by Sligo Rovers, one can just look at the length of their injury list.
John Russell has been without up to 10 players in recent weeks.
Greg Bolger is back at least now but the likes of Garry Buckley, Reece Hutchinson, Karl O'Sullivan, Mark Byrne and James Finnerty will return in August. Fabrice Hartmann may be sooner. Gary Boylan was ruled out for the season before a ball was kicked.
There’s no doubt Sligo must look to the transfer market when it opens at the weekend.
For now they’re desperate for points to try to salvage something for the season. The major fear is their nearly two decades in the top flight could be under threat.
Russell is keen for a large home support to get behind the team:
"We are coming into Friday night’s game against Bohemians in a disappointing position in the table.
"I know that there is frustration around recent results and performances and this is understandable.
"We are aware of how important this game is for us and the players have worked hard all week in training. We have yet to beat Bohs this season, so we know we’re in for a tough game.
"I know the quality we have at the club and want the players to play without fear.
'"I still believe in the huge potential of this team and I am hoping for a big performance in The Showgrounds in front of the home fans."
Bohs showed great fighting spirit to take a draw against rivals Shamrock Rovers when 2-0 down last week.
Declan Devine is trying to take that feeling into the game in the north-west: "To go two goals down and then get a point against a quality side who really don't throw away two-goal leads shows the character of this team.
"For us as a group, for our supporters, and for the whole club, it was such an important game for us not to lose.
"I was very pleased with how we turned the game around – our subs were outstanding. It was a high level performance, apart from 10 minutes where we showed a lack of concentration, which is something we need to address."
Devine has warned his players to be aware of the wounded Bit O' Red.
"We have prepared all week for a very difficult game. I have been going to Sligo for 20 years and have never had an easy game there.
"Derry went there a couple of weeks ago and lost 1-0, so we have to understand that it is a difficult venue against a team that is going to be hurting on the back of last week, playing in front of their own fans who will be demanding a response.
"Sligo have a lot of talented players, so we are under no illusions that it will be a tough game. Our mindset has been good all week and we know we have to get back to winning ways."
Dean Williams (ankle) and Luke Dennison (hand) are ruled out.
Cork City v Drogheda United, Turner's Cross, 7.45pm
Darragh Crowley, Ethan Varian and Albin Winbo are out for City while Jonas Hakkinen will have a late fitness test.
City have lost their last two games after a tremendous run of results.
Liam Buckley is sure to be active in the transfer window this week. His first task will be keeping on-loan Ipswich Town man Matt Healy who is out of contract in England as his temporary spell ends.
Buckley said: "We've got to try to get points out of every game to ultimately get ourselves up the table
"We've had some decent performances in the last few weeks. Do I see more improvements in the players? Yes.
"It was a tight game in Drogheda, there wasn't a lot in it. There won't be a huge amount in this either.
United must do without star man Freddie Draper who has returned to his parent club Lincoln City as has Elicha Ahui.
St Patrick's Athletic v UCD, Richmond Park, 7.45pm
St Patrick's Athletic have won all four home games since Jon Daly took over in Inchicore.
Tonight represents a chance to extend that run given UCD have just a single point from their 11 away days so far.
"I think the fact we've come away disappointed tells us where we are at. We're obviously in a good place when we're expecting to win those games.
"We felt we should have won it but if you told me before the weekend that from Shels and Dundalk we'd get four points I would have taken it.
"It's two more games unbeaten."
Daly has committed to bringing in "one or two" players in the window and has praised the current group
Captain Joe Redmond did some training this week.
He is set for a return in mid-July. Harry Brockbank and Axel Sojberg are out.
UCD's shock win over Sligo has cast a slightly different light on them going into this game.
Daly wants his side to be clinical: "UCD are always a difficult opponent. They've good energy and some very good players.
"They are coming off the back of a fantastic win. They'll be in good spirits so it's important be bring the same level and tempo. If we play slow it'll give them encouragement."
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