Shamrock Rovers could be crowned four-in-a-row champions tonight as they face nearest rivals St Patrick's Athletic in a sold out derby in Richmond Park (live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player).
With just seven days left in the Premier Division season the Hoops are in pole position to once again take the trophy and a historic feat for Stephen Bradley, as well as the majority of the squad.
It would take an almighty collapse for the Saints to catch their south Dublin neighbours. They’ve enjoyed a terrific second half of the season with European qualification assured thanks to a 1-0 win over Sligo Rovers. They also have the FAI Cup final with Bohemians to come next month.
A draw or a home win would bring the title race to Monday. A favourable run-in should mean the title will head to Tallaght once more, but there are no guarantees at this crunch point of the season.
There are crucial games in the race for Europe; none more so than in Oriel Park as Dundalk face their do or die scenario against Bohemians.
The Lilywhites looked out of the race until their win in Sligo last week as the Gypsies faltered.
Dundalk can move level on points with Bohs if they win and with a similar goal difference it would lead to a fascinating final day.
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Shelbourne know they can put themselves into pole position if Bohs drop more points. Damien Duff’s outfit welcome UCD to Tolka Park knowing they could sit third by close of play tonight.
College have lost 15 of their 17 away games this season so it would be a major shock if they took anything from the game as their miserable year nears a conclusion.
Derry City are another side on the slide and may need to pick up a win in their final two games to guarantee Conference League football in 2024.
It’s a remarkable thought given City were title challengers for much of the year. The chasing pack have closed the gap.
Cork City are the opposition tonight as the Candystripes face the long journey south.
Cork picked up a morale-boosting win in Belfield last week. They need a near-perfect end of the season to avoid the play-off in November.
St Patrick's Athletic v Shamrock Rovers, Richmond Park, 8pm - Live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player
Stephen Bradley knows the key to sealing the league crown is avoiding defeat in Inchicore.
Asked whether his team will go for the win regardless, he said: "Yes, of course. We know a point does it for us considering our goal difference, but we'll go there to win the game. That doesn’t change whether we’re home or away.
"We know Pat's have some good players and that hasn’t changed all year and Jon Daly has done a really good job since he’s gone in.
"It’s a Dublin derby and we’re ready to go and we’ve built up to this point since the first day in pre-season.
"There will be nothing on our mind other than winning and getting the three points."
The Hoops showed their class when dismantling a weakened Drogheda United side last week, scoring five goals in the process.
Trevor Clarke and Jack Byrne miss out through injury.
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It promises to be a fascinating affair with Pat's winning their last four games without conceding a goal.
They are certainly in bonus territory, with the title likely out of reach.
They can afford to push for victory knowing European football is already secured.
Manager Jon Daly said: "We've achieved our first objective of qualifying to Europe, but that's done. I think it's inevitable Rovers will win the league, but it's now if we can make them have to go down to Cork and win.
"Everything is now geared towards tonight.
"The games against Rovers are always competitive games. There's gonna be a good crowd as it's a sell-out again.
"It's fantastic for the league to have another full house. Hopefully we can give them something to cheer about and get behind."
Tom Grivosti (knee), Axel Sjoberg (hamstring) and Harry Brockbank (quad) are all unavailable.
Kick-off is 8pm.
Cork City v Derry City, Turner's Cross, 7.45pm
"Extremely disappointed" is how Ruaidhri Higgins describes his feelings about the end of a Derry City season which promises so much.
The Candystripes have seen St Pat's take over second place for now and let Shamrock Rovers move clear in the title race.
They even need a good result in their closing matches to guarantee top four.
Nevertheless Higgins is looking at it in a more broad perspective.
"I'm extremely disappointed that we’re sitting here and not in the title mix going into the last couple of matches" he said.
"It’s been a frustrating year with some difficult times but also plenty of positives, especially during the European run."
"We want more of that, which is why we have to go down here and get the job done this weekend.
"Qualifying for European competition is the minimum expectation at this club, but we know that Cork will make it very difficult for us."
Sadou Diallo is suspended while Jamie McGonigle is doubtful having picked up a knock a couple of weeks ago.
The permutation is simple for the Rebels. They need a minimum of six points to overturn Sligo Rovers and hope the Bit O' Red lose their last two matches.
It may prove a big ask.
Dundalk v Bohemians, Oriel Park, 7.45pm
From a point of despair comes hope for Dundalk and likely a big crowd at Oriel Park in the battle to take a place in Europe next season.
Stephen O'Donnell's side have been the most inconsistent side in a year in which that has been the theme of the league.
"We have an outside chance," said Lilywhites head coach Stephen O'Donnell in relation to their current sixth place position which doesn't tell the entire story.
He added: "We have two games left and we’re still in there pitching for Europe and for fourth place.
"We’re three points – and two goals – behind Bohs and we are two points behind Shelbourne with two games left so we’re the outsiders in a three-horse race.
"Obviously the FAI Cup final will dictate a lot but we need to win our two games and see what happens then. Even if we do that, there’s no guarantee we’ll get into Europe, but we want to be in a position where if someone slips up, we’re there to capitalise."
John Mountney is the only absentee for the Lilywhites.
The teams have played entertaining matches so far with 12 goals in two wins for Bohemians and one draw.
Bohs need to find a big away win - something which they have struggled with this year - and Declan Devine knows their season is going to be decided in this week and the FAI Cup final.
Devine said: "We now have three cup finals coming up, starting with this one. The players are really hungry.
"We know it is going to be difficult as Dundalk have the second-best home record in the league this year, just in front of ourselves.
"But we have prepared well all week. It's like a cup game. A defeat or a draw is no good to us. We need to go and win.
"It’s a game we are looking forward to though, it is not a game that should bring us fear.
"We want to get over the line for everyone at the club. We have two opportunities to get to Europe but we want to try and make sure that, before the cup final, we are already in Europe through the league."
Bohemians are without captain Keith Buckley (knee) after the devastating blow that he suffered anterior cruciate ligament and medial collateral ligament damage that will rule him out of the Cup final and some of next season.
Shelbourne v UCD, Tolka Park, 7.45pm
Damien Duff has talked up UCD and the importance of the Shelbourne home support ahead of a pivotal night in their season.
Duff has taken Shelbourne from mid-table to a push for Europe. They could control their own fate next week in Drogheda with a win tonight.
College have just two wins all season - and two draws from 17 games away from home.
Despite this, Duff feels they are underestimated by the opposition.
He said: "[UCD] are a very dangerous team, this is as dangerous as any game in the league. A lot of teams the problem they have is they disrespect it, that's a mistake we won’t be making. The night that’s in it, with what’s at stake, we can’t disrespect the game or UCD.
Tonight we need everyone on it. Players, staff, and the fans. When we have that energy and enthusiasm, that proper life in the stadium. We can be an unstoppable force.
"My message for players, staff, and fans too, you need to be on it, we can’t afford for anyone to be flat."
Duff has suggested supporters arrive early to the game to create a "Tolka on wheels" atmosphere.
Will Jarvis will have a late fitness test for Shels. JR Wilson, Jad Hakiki and Andrew Quinn are back to give the home side a strong squad this week.
Watch St Patrick's Athletic v Shamrock Rovers in the League of Ireland on Friday on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player from 7.45pm, follow a live blog on RTÉ.ie/Sport and the RTÉ News app
