A five-way title race could emerge from tonight's League of Ireland Premier Division fixtures, while Shamrock Rovers know they can begin to knock back their rivals with a win.
The Hoops are looking for a historic four in a row league success but have by their own high standards disappointed somewhat this year.
Four points clear with nine games to go is a satisfying place to be. Failing at the first hurdles in Europe and the FAI Cup has put added incentive on retaining their league crown once more.
They had been on course for a deserved win over Shelbourne last time out in the league only to concede from a corner in stoppage time, leaving Stephen Bradley and his players two weeks to mull over it due to the Cup action.
Tonight they can take a huge step forward knowing at least one rival will slip up, as well as being able to put another out of the race in opponents in Dundalk.
In truth the Lilywhites are the rank outsiders of the equation, currently eight points off top. However they could reduce that gap to five if they can repeat the last meeting with the champions when they knocked them out of the Cup.
Derry City have had some genuine heartbreak in the last week and face a real test of character in the aftermath.
Performances have been good, but two penalty shootout losses saw them exit Europe and relinquish the FAI Cup.
Notwithstanding, they are in with a great chance of winning a long-awaited league crown.
The credentials will be tested at one of the hardest away venues in the country.
Bohemians have used their time out of Europe well, moving level on points with City and five off their arch-rivals Shamrock Rovers.
The Dublin sides will clash in a derby next week, so a positive result for Bohs could transform their season into a potentially league-winning one.
Directly behind the leaders are St Patrick's Athletic. They will feel best-placed to make inroads on top spot with their away match to UCD.
The Saints had to battle for 120 minutes against a strong Derry side but held on for the shootout and took their place in the quarter-finals.
With a win tonight they could be playing for a potential double for the rest of the year.
The Hoops remain the favourite and tonight’s games will show who can challenge them.
At the other end of the table there’s a potentially decisive fixtures as Drogheda United take on Cork City.
It’s a "must not lose" game for the Rebels as they face the side directly above them in the table.
City have not won in eight league matches. They finally returned to winning ways in the Cup on Monday against Waterford to raise confidence ahead of this fixture.
Sligo Rovers could be dragged into the mix – the Bit O’ Red host Shelbourne on Saturday night.
Shamrock Rovers v Dundalk, Tallaght Stadium, 7.45pm
Dundalk have enjoyed two Oriel Park wins over Shamrock Rovers this year.
Away from home it has been a different story, with over four years passing since their last Tallaght win.
The RTÉ cameras will be there tonight to see if the champions can take a big step towards their fourth league crown in succession or if Dundalk make their own entrance into the title hunt.
The home side have several players returning including Neil Farrugia and Trevor Clarke. Lee Grace and Sean Hoare are also fit. Jack Byrne is the only absentee.
Stephen Bradley was happy with his side's last league display away to Shels and is looking for a repeat performance
"I’ve watched it back and feel what I felt after the game that we were very good for large parts of it. We should win the game quite comfortably, but we gave up a goal in the last minute, a free header from a corner which is very rare for us, but for large parts we were very good and deserved to win."
Hayden Muller and Paul Doyle are back for Dundalk after missing the win in Bray through injury and suspension respectively while Robbie Benson played an academy match last week.
Ryan O’Kane is doubtful after going off at The Carlisle Grounds with a shin injury while Keith Ward and John Mountney are absent.
Dundalk boss Stephen O’Donnell has spoken confidently ahead of the game.
"You need a little bit of luck to win the league but to get to the very top you need to beat the teams above you. We’re looking to do that, starting with Rovers on Friday," he said.
"We know what it takes to beat them. We’ve won our last couple of games against them but they’re top of the league for a reason and they’re the team we all need to catch.
"They’re a good side, and they’re hard to beat in Tallaght, but we’ll be going up there with no fear and we want to pick up the three points.
"It’s a mad league this season. I think everyone’s a bit disappointed with where they are because everyone has been inconsistent but it means it’s wide open going into the run-in which is great for everyone."
Bohemians v Derry City, Dalymount Park, 7.45pm
It's a mammoth tussle at Dalymount Park.
The Candystripes will be desperate to bounce back from two penalty shootout defeats in a row - against Tobol in the Europa Conference League and St Pat's in the FAI Cup - as they aim to launch a genuine title tilt.
Just ten matches remain from here with Ruaidhri Higgins' side five points behind Shamrock Rovers with a game against UCD in hand.
"We've got a decent record there and we're playing at a really high level at the minute so we're looking forward to the game" he said.
"We've come out of a busy period of matches with just the usual bumps and bruises so I don't imagine there'll be too many changes to the squad for the Bohs game."
Bohs are level on points with Derry having played a game more. Expect a ferocious atmosphere as both teams aim to keep their title dreams alive.
Drogheda United v Cork City, Weavers Park, 7.45pm
It has been a highly impressive season by Drogheda United as the final quarter of the league season beckons.
A home FAI Cup quarter-final with Bohemians is also on the horizon as well after their fine performances week to week.
For all of their good work, a battle remains to avoid relegation, and that would be close to won with a victory here.
Cork City have been woeful on the road.
There have been high points, taking a draw in Tallaght, Sligo and Inchicore, while the only three points of the season came in Drogheda.
This is the second of three vital games for Cork in the league.
The home draw with UCD brought jeering in Turner's Cross. They’ll return to the venue to face the other side in the play-off mix, Sligo Rovers, in seven days’ time.
It’s now or never for Cork in terms of avoiding ninth place.
United allowed former number one goalkeeper Colin McCabe to depart this week with 17-year-old Andrew Wogan commanding the shirt since mid-season.
UCD v St Patrick's Athletic, UCD Bowl, 7.45pm
Second-placed St Pat's are four points behind Shamrock Rovers and very much in the thick of things, but the news that brilliant 18-year-old midfielder Adam Murphy is set to sign for Bristol City is undoubtedly a blow.
The Saints will miss him on the run-in, however they have little time to stew on that now.
Jon Daly's men have won all three of their games against UCD this season. Last time out was a 7-0 victory at Richmond Park in June.
"It's very close in the table, it's going to be the team who are the most consistent over the final part of the season that will get where they need to get," said Daly.
"That starts on Friday for us. UCD don't have as many points on the board as they probably should. They're a decent side with some very good players in their team that can hurt you. One thing about them is that they never stop and never give up."
Tom Grivosti (knee) and Axel Sjoberg (hamstring) are out. Bar that, Pat's have a clean bill of health.
Watch Shamrock Rovers v Dundalk in the League of Ireland on Friday from 7.35pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player and follow a live blog on all matches RTÉ.ie/Sport and the RTÉ News app
