There are two matches in the League of Ireland Premier Division tonight as Derry City look to keep the title race alive.
The Candystripes are in Drogheda, knowing they can reduce the lead at the top to just two points.
Time is running out for City as Shamrock Rovers have, on paper, an easier run-in. Points on the board will at least put pressure on Stephen Bradley's men.
There is also a vital clash in the race for Europe with Shelbourne and Dundalk meeting at Tolka Park.
Whichever side fails to win tonight - or even both - would face a struggle to reach third position.
Fourth might be good enough if St Patrick's Athletic win the FAI Cup and this is a potential do or die clash for the teams currently chasing Bohemians.
Three matches are postponed as the FAI Cup semi-finals take place on Saturday. Those games will take place on Monday, 23 October.
Drogheda United v Derry City, Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium, 7.45pm
A point in this game will mean Drogheda United are mathematically safe after a superb season.
Kevin Doherty has pulled off some remarkable results this season. With American investment coming in, they will be celebrating tonight if a positive result is achieved.
With matches running out it has all the makings of a 'must-win' contest for the visitors, however Ruaidhri Higgins is well aware that it will be easier said than done.
"They're a very difficult side to beat and they've produced some big results throughout the season.
"Kevin and Daire and the staff and players down there deserve huge credit for the job they're doing; especially as they're one of the few clubs in the league without a big budget.
"What they do have is a good mix of experience and quality young players, and this will be another tough night for us.
"We have to turn up, we have to go after the game and we have to try to build on an impressive second-half performance against UCD last weekend."
Drogheda shocked Derry 1-0 in the Brandywell but the other two games have gone the way of the FAI Cup holders.
Ronan Boyce is back from suspension.
Higgins added: "Both Patrick McEleney and Mark Connolly are very close to a return and with no new concerns we're hopefully in good shape for the run-in.
"We need to just keep going now; stay focused and try to win the game on Friday night, and not concern ourselves with anything outside of our control."
The game kicks off at 7.45pm.
Shelbourne v Dundalk, Oriel Park, 7.45pm
"It's a time to be on it, it’s a time to stand up, I am certain we will do it."
Damien Duff has issued a confident update for one of the most important Premier Division fixtures of the last two decades for Shelbourne.
They can move back inside the top four with a win tonight, while also facing the possibility of dropping to sixth if the result goes the other day.
Defeat in Tallaght last week was no disgrace. Duff admits it was a knock - the manager will watch on from the stands tonight due to suspension.
"We had a setback on Friday, we've said many times this season our lads are good at brushing off results.
"We know Dundalk are a really good team regardless of run of form or where they have been recently, they have real winners in the team, a great young manager. It certainly not an easy game but one all our guys are looking forward to, and all this week there was a real excitement in the air."
"What we learned from that is we need to bring 100 minutes on Friday, we need to bring 400 minutes between now and the end of the season, we can't let energy, concentration and emotional energy drop. It can cost you in this league.
"If we don’t have our edge, we’re not us, we’re not Shelbourne FC, we have to bring the fire, we have to be calm, clear and have ice in the veins, but that is nothing without fire and edge. I want lads to know it’s big and be up for it and we need to match what Dundalk bring, and to win it we need to bring more."
Sean Boyd, Matty Smith and JR Wilson remain unavailable. Andy Quinn and David Toure are also out with minor injuries.
Dundalk's season looked to be running out of gas.
However, two wins last week has kept the European dream very much alive.
Lilywhites head coach Stephen O'Donnell said they will travel to Dublin looking to make it three.
"I was very happy with our performance against Drogheda last week and we’re going to Tolka full of confidence," he said.
"Shelbourne were beaten by Shamrock Rovers last Friday, but they’ve been in a good run of form themselves. They’re a good side with a lot of well-drilled, good players, so it should be a decent game."
Andy Boyle and Connor Malley are back in contention after overcoming calf and quad injuries respectively while Louie Annesley also returned to training this week after missing the last five games with a hamstring strain. John Mountney (knee) misses out.
