This week brings one of the most important rounds of League of Ireland Premier Division fixtures of the year as several sides face critical games.
At the top of the table a somewhat stuttering Shamrock Rovers side go to one of the most difficult venues in the division
Shelbourne's record of just two defeats in 13 home games with just 10 goals conceded show how much of a struggle it has been for visiting sides this year.
The Hoops had been struggling in front of goal but fine finishes by Graham Burke and Liam Burt ensured a win over Cork City last week.
Across the city two of their challenges meet in a game live on RTÉ2 in front of a sold out crowd of over 5,000 in Richmond Park.
St Patrick's Athletic and Bohemians have exceeded expectations this season and come into the game with many positives.
Pat's cruised to victory in Sligo as they returned to league action in style after their European campaign ended, as captain Joe Redmond returned from injury.
Bohs. with Jonathan Afolabi hitting his ninth goal in seven matches, saw off Drogheda United and are well-placed in the hunt for a European place.
A win for either side will make put them firmly in a race for the league crown.
Elsewhere there's a huge night for Cork City as they seek to avoid being consigned to the relegation play-off in the coming weeks. UCD are the visitors to Turner's Cross.
Dundalk will look to take advantage of at least of the sides above them dropping points when they meet Sligo Rovers.
The Lilywhites have fallen back slightly and need a return to winning ways.
Sligo are still in danger of being the play-off and have seen their squad weakened by the departure of Max Mata and possibly of goalkeeper Luke McNicholas to Wrexham.
St Patrick's Athletic v Bohemians, Richmond Park, 7.45pm
Saints boss Jon Daly admits there is a lot riding on this Dublin derby.
"It's a big game, it always is against Bohs, we've done our homework on them, we know what they're about, they're a very good side. They have some really good attacking players so we're going to have to defend well on Friday night if we're going to get anything out of the game.
"There is a belief in our squad. When you have positive results, it breeds confidence. The players are confident going into each game. We're focusing on one game at a time and taking it from there
"It was brilliant to get Joe Redmond back.
"Any team would miss someone like Joe.
"Numerous players have said that it's great to have him back. You can sense that in the group.He's a very good player and having someone like that in your backline is always going to help you, so it's great to have him now for the run-in."
Tom Grivosti (knee) is the only absentee for Pat's
Shelbourne v Shamrock Rovers, Tolka Park, 8pm
When Shamrock Rovers drew 0-0 in Tolka Park earlier in the season, thoughts were turning to a possible crisis for the champions.
From there they reeled off nine wins in 11 and took over at the head of the table.
This is a second difficult spell, yet once again Stephen Bradley believes his side are largely maintaining their level.
Reflecting on their exit from Europe and FAI Cup, Bradley is adamant things have got against his side.
He said: "We knew against Breidablik that we weren't good enough over the two legs and the reasons for that. Ferencvaros for us was a really tough one to take because we felt we started both games really well but as I keep saying, if you don’t take your chances against big teams, you get punished. If you offered me the cup game (against Dundalk) tomorrow, I’d take it, everything in that game suggests we should win it.
"We didn’t take our chances and we made enough to win a few games that day. So, when you break those games down and understand them for what they were, we were ok. Going into the Cork game it was all about getting the win, off the back of Thursday and the squad being tight in terms of bodies, it was just about getting the win.
"I felt the performance on Thursday was good and we followed that into the Cork game and, although we started sloppy, after that it was very good. So, there was no real panic, we were calm, the players were calm. We’ve been here before, and we don’t listen to the noise, we focus on what we do."
Shelbourne have taken two draws so far from the Hoops and restrict their opponents
Bradley added: "You do have to review the last few games and look back how they played against us, but Shels have changed their shape in the past few weeks, they're playing a different way. One thing that doesn’t change is they’ll be really well organised, Damien has them tactically well organised, they don’t give up many chances or goals.
"That doesn’t change whatever system they play. Then you’ve to respect how they play in transition and how they can hurt you, as they did in Tallaght. So, we know what they’re going to bring to the table, so we have to respect what they’re good at and then when we get our opportunities that we take them."
Trevor Clarke returns after recovering sooner than expected from injury. Neil Farrugia, Lee Grace and Seán Hoare are set to return later in the month.
Matty Smith and Brian McManus remain out for Shelbourne. Damien Duff will have to plan without the pair as well as Sean Boyd and Kameron Ledwidge.
Having come close to eking out a win over their fellow Dublin side, Duff wants to go one better.
"They’re the best team in the league, I’m a blow in to the League of Ireland but no doubt for me Rovers are the best team I’ve seen and hot favourites to win it again and make four in-a-row.
"The message to the players this week has been about belief, we haven’t beaten them yet since coming back up to the Premier, but I think the players will go into this believing they can, I think getting a result in Oriel was very important to keeping that fire lit, that chase for a high league finish.
"We know our goal and that’s Europe, the dream is very much alive, and I think the players will approach Friday with confidence."
Cork City v UCD, Turner's Cross, 7.45pm
Cork City are becoming cast adrift in the promotion/relegation play-off so this home clash with UCD must deliver three points given the final quarter of the season is about to begin.
The Rebels have taken just two points from the last seven matches in the league with Drogheda United and Sligo Rovers extending their lead.
Now facing the basement side, Cork must begin their charge or the play-off will beckon.
Games against their rivals Sligo Rovers and Drogheda are to come, as well as a FAI Cup Munster derby with Waterford.
Dundalk v Sligo Rovers, Oriel Park, 7.45pm
Stephen O'Donnell wants his players to keep in mind that they remain in control of their own destiny as the chase for Europe intensifies.
St Pat's and Bohs have an advantage, yet they could find themselves closer to the Lilywhites tonight.
Sligo have won just three away matches all season - one of which came in Oriel.
"There are 30 league points up for grabs between now and the end of the season and we're still involved in the FAI Cup so there’s an awful lot to play for between now and the start of November," said O’Donnell.
"There was a bit of an empty feeling after the 1-1 draw with Shelbourne last Sunday. From a points perspective, draws don’t do an awful lot for your league position but it kept a bit of momentum going.
"It leaves us outside the top four but we know if we do our business right, we’ll have lots of opportunities to close the gap because the teams ahead of us will be playing each other over the coming weeks.
"We just need to focus on ourselves and we need to go on a good run between now and the end of the season to try and force our way into those positions."
Connor Malley is available after missing the 1-1 draw with Shelbourne with a knock. Robbie Benson is expected to return to training in the next couple of weeks while John Mountney and Keith Ward are making good progress from their respective ailments.
