Shamrock Rovers can expel another member of the League of Ireland Premier Division title race when arch-rivals Bohemians visit Tallaght Stadium tonight.
The Hoops ground out a 1-0 win over Dundalk last week to move their opponents out of the top half and grew their lead over Bohs and Derry City.
Those sides battled out a draw at Dalymount Park – a result which did much for either team – and seven points now separate them from the leaders.
Tonight's fixtures are arguably the most important of the season so far given the top six sides are facing off.
The destination of the title and European places go a long way to be decided here.
A win for Stephen Bradley’s side would leave the Gypsies out of the running and move the champions a step closer to their desired four in a row.
Derry face another tough away fixture as they travel to Oriel Park, meaning what seemed like a potential five-way title race could descend into a much more simpler affair if they falter once more.
St Pat’s were unimpressive in UCD last week, but crucially came away with three points, and they are in the ascendancy when it comes to being the main challenger.
Jon Daly will bring his side across the city to face Shelbourne side that will be high on confidence after moving to within four points of the top four.
The Reds have manoeuvred themselves into a shot at the top four. Remarkably if you take out the fixtures with St Pat’s, Damien Duff’s side have not tasted defeat since the final day of March.
The two defeats in the last 21 matches came at the hands of Pat’s, a sign of just how hard Duff has made them to beat.
It’s not just a big night for the six teams chasing for the end of season prizes.
Cork City and Sligo Rovers have had miserable years and it is set to get worse for one of them when they clash at Turner’s Cross.
After morale-sapping defeats last week, City still trail by six points to Sligo and know their final matches are against five of the top six sides so this feels like last chance saloon.
Defeat would all but consign the Rebels to the play-off. Victory would put the Bit O’ Red in grave danger having capitulated from a promising start.
John Russell’s future must be under threat and he has to find a win from somewhere to turn the tide, knowing they last tasted victory on the road more than four months ago.
The fifth and final game sees Drogheda welcome UCD in what is a major chance for United to secure their place in next year's top flight.
It took a battling performance and a game-changing red card to eventually lead to a convincing over Cork last week.
With the two sides below them meeting, they can all but secure safety against an opponent they've been prolific against so far this year.
Shamrock Rovers v Bohemians, Tallaght Stadium, 8pm
Over 7,500 fans will be in Tallaght Stadium for with a great deal riding on it.
Bohs will come to Tallaght knowing they have to end a long wait for an away victory in itself – as well as against their opponents.
The Hoops have been here so many times before and will call on their experienced men to steer them towards another title.
Stephen Bradley is anticipating a thriller.
He said: "I imagine it will be another really good game. I've said throughout the year that their attacking players are really strong, and they cause everyone problems, so we know their qualities.
"But we also know we can hurt them, throw a Dublin Derby in the mix, Bohs v Rovers is always going to be a tough game, a really competitive game but I also think there’ll be a lot of quality on show as well.
"So, it has all the makings to be a really good game and a great advertisement for the league."
Liam Burt should be available to play against his former club after overcoming a back problem.
Jack Byrne is set to return later in the month, he is the only absentee for Shamrock Rovers.
Bohs lost the first two games against their rivals this season but battled from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 the last time the sides met, and Devine is aiming to go one better in Tallaght tonight.
Declan Devine does not want to shy away from the magnitude of the game
He said: "There has been very little between the sides in the games we have played so far. In the first game we played against them at home, we were very good in the opening period, the game in Tallaght was decided by a decision that should have gone our way, and it was pleasing that we came from behind in the last game.
"But this is a brand new game. We are coming into it in fantastic form. We come into it with a lot of confidence and self-belief.
"We also know that they have been champions for the past three seasons for a reason. If we want to close that gap, and finish this season strongly, then this is a pivotal game for us.
"We need to match the performances that we have put on of late. We are away from home but we have won away from home in Inchicore and in the Brandywell this season, so we want to get maximum points in Tallaght too.
"We have spoken all week about how we will have to be at our very, very best. The one thing I will give this group of players is that they never give in and they never stop. That is what is going to be required in Tallaght."
Bohemians have a full squad to choose from.
Dundalk v Derry City, Oriel Park, 7.45pm
Derry City face a major test of their title credentials against a Dundalk side desperate for points in the hunt for Europe.
Last week's 1-0 defeat against Shamrock Rovers at Tallaght Stadium, coupled with results elsewhere, saw the Lilywhites slip into sixth place with just eight league games to play.
Dundalk have an enviable home record against the Candystripes. Since 2013, Derry have won just two league games at Oriel Park, in 2013 and 2021, and Dundalk boss Stephen O'Donnell says his players were confident of maintaining that run against Ruaidhri Higgins’s side.
"They have good players dotted all around the park, they have a good manager and it's going to be another tight game but we’re looking forward to it," said O’Donnell.
"We know we need to be on it and alert at all times because they have good pace and quality in the final third. They were knocked out of Europe and the FAI Cup recently when they should have probably gone through in both competitions and they created quite a few chances in a ding-dong game against Bohs last week.
"They have big aspirations to win the league but we’ll be ready. We’re training well and we’re working towards a specific goal. There is a clarity in what we’re doing which is important going forward."
Andy Boyle is doubtful after picking up a knock in training but Ryan O'Kane is back in contention after missing last week’s game with Shamrock Rovers with a shin injury. John Mountney and Keith Ward are both making good progress from their respective knee injuries.
Derry come into the game off the back of a 2-2 draw against Bohs and with games ticking away wins are what they really need to put the pressure on Shamrock Rovers.
Higgins has been delighted with the efforts of his players during an impressive run of form over the summer, but he's well aware of the potential threat of Stephen O'Donnell's side.
"Dundalk are playing well themselves and we know they'll be really difficult to beat as they always are" he said.
"They're still in this race too and they have plenty of title-winning experience between them- especially in that front three- so we know what we can expect.
"As I've said before, we're in good form ourselves, maybe without always getting the results we feel we deserve recently, but we're only looking ahead.
"They're all big games from now until the end of the season, and this is certainly one."
The Limavady man looks set to be without midfielder Sadou Diallo due to an accumulation of yellow cards.
Ronan Boyce is doubtful with a knock.
"We have a few bumps and bruises that you expect at this stage of the season but we'll give Ronan as much time as we can."
It's the first of two games in a week for Derry as they are also in Dublin on Wednesday night for their game in hand at UCD.
Shelbourne v St Patrick's Athletic, Tolka Park, 7.45pm
St Pat's have been unbeaten domestically in nearly three months and have been a thorn in Shelbourne's side this season.
On a night where all the top sides are facing challenging fixtures, the Saints could thrust themselves into being the leading challenger with a win tonight.
Jon Daly is hoping his team can pick up the three points before the international break: "We were delighted to get the three points against UCD, it sets us up nicely coming into this week, it's a big game against Shelbourne and one we are looking forward to.
"It's two well-matched teams. They've got some very good players in their team that can cause you problems, and they have caused us problems across the three games this season.
"We scored our three goals from three set plays so it shows you the importance of them and what they can do for you.
"Shelbourne are very well organised. Damien Duff has them well-drilled and playing good football. It's up to us to put in a performance that merits the three points."
Tom Grivosti (knee) and Axel Sjoberg (hamstring) will miss the game. New signing former Northern Ireland international Ryan McLaughlin made his debut at right-back
Pat's will be backed by over 1,000 fans in a massive game for both clubs.
Damien Duff's side remain in the hunt for Europe as the business end of the season explodes into life.
After a 1-0 win over Sligo Rovers at the Showgrounds they begin the night in fifth place, four points behind Bohs in fourth. Duff reckons games against direct rivals can take on a knockout football feel: "There is a cup final feel and the pressure that comes with that but like I've told the guys for a few weeks, it’s a good pressure to have, that’s what we crave, why we get involved in elite football.
"Pushing for Europe, it’s totally different to the pressure of a relegation battle, or just playing games behind one of the mid table teams, where we’re at now, it gives you added focus, gets juice flowing. Why it’s addictive and why the people on the pitch, the people in the stand, it’s why we’re hooked on football."
Duff welcomed back Matty Smith and Brian McManus last week and said that Kameron Ledwidge is also back in training. Newcomer Euclides Cabral "hasn’t played a lot of football, he needs to get up to speed quickly. Good to have bodies back and choices now to make."
Cork City v Sligo Rovers, Turner's Cross, 7.45pm
A huge game at the bottom of the table.
Cork suffered a damaging 3-1 loss to Drogheda United last week but hopes of getting away from ninth - and a relegation play-off - are not over yet.
They have the opportunity to get to within three points of Sligo if they can achieve victory tonight, although they will try to do so without Malik Dijksteel. The Dutch midfielder is suspended after being sent off at Weavers Park.
Sligo are struggling; few at the Bit O'Red would have envisaged they'd potentially be sucked into a relegation scrap at the start of the campaign.
They haven't won in a month and are without the injured Gary Boylan, Mark Byrne and Will Fitzgerald are all expected to miss out.
However Daniel Lafferty returns following a four-game ban for his dismissal against the Drogs in the FAI Cup.
Drogheda United v UCD, Weavers Park, 7.45pm
Kevin Doherty's Drogs are up to seventh and can take another huge stride towards safety with a win against bottom team UCD.
Still in the FAI Cup, it's developing into a really good campaign for Doherty's men, but there's still work to do to ensure they don't get dragged back down into a dog fight with Sligo and Cork City.
Darragh Markey [calf] and Dayle Rooney [groin] are both doubtful. They spent time in a cryotherapy chamber during the week to try and hasten their recoveries.
The Students' fate is effectively sealed. They are 14 points adrift of ninth and will be returning to the First Division next year. However Andy Myler's men will embrace the chance to spoil the party at Weavers Park and are capable of making things awkward for their hosts.
