Away from the business end of the European qualifying rounds, the League of Ireland title race takes over tonight with the top two in action.
Officially now in the final series of matches, the run-in sees Shelbourne hold the advantage on Derry City with Shamrock Rovers still in with a shout.
Indeed there are three more sides that could put themselves into the mix with a run of victories in the most open race in many years.
At the other end of the table, Drogheda Untied and Dundalk are looking to suck Bohemians into the relegation mix.
With just three matches tonight, it is an opportunity for some teams to add real pressure on their rivals going into Sunday's fixtures.
The game of the night is a Dublin Derby between Shels and Bohs given the importance at both ends of the table.
Waterford and Derry City both need the points as they clash at the RSC. The Candystripes have dominated the fixtures so far.
Elsewhere an improving Drogheda United can move off the bottom if they get the better of in-form Sligo Rovers.
Both the Blues and the Bit O’ Red are reeling from surprise FAI Cup defeats so what we get from each side tonight is hard to predict.
It will be a night of real significance.
Shelbourne v Bohemians, Tolka Park, 7.45pm
"Soul-searching" has been a term used by Bohemians on a few stages this year.
The Gyspies progressed to the quarter-finals of the FAI Cup away to Kerry on Sunday but needed extra time and penalties to do so.
Fans were unhappy with the performance and given they have just one win in 14 in the league, it's easy to see why.
Seeing Shelbourne heading towards a title has compounded the difficulty of the season, given it was Bohs riding high in recent years as Shels dealt with mediocrity.
This is a match which could send Shels on the way to the league crown and Bohs towards the drop.
The stakes are high.
Reynolds has tried to be rationale in his approach: "As a group we have spoken at length about what we need to do to get back to where we want to be and we are working extremely hard to make things right.
"For me, the important thing for us now as a group and as a club now is how we react. We have to react well and we have to react fast.
"We have a big month ahead of us. As a club, we have to stick together and dig deep to get the right performances and results that will move us back up the table.
"We all understand the criticism we have received and have taken it on board. We have talented players but they are hurting, so this is a test of our resolve now, and as a group we all have to dig deep.
"What I will say is that we need to stick together as a club. We have made a lot of changes over the past couple of months but we all know that where we are right now is a long way off where we want to be.
"I just ask our fans to stick with us. We haven’t given them a lot to cheer about over the past few weeks so there is a lot of frustration there, and we never take their support for granted. "
Jordan Flores is rated as 50/50.
James McManus and Jake Carroll are close to returning to first-team action but this game will come too early for them. Rob Cornwall and Keith Buckley remain out.
Shels were boosted by progress in the FAI Cup last week.
Aiden O’Brien bagged his first goal and could start tonight.
Having not won in their last three, Damien Duff knows this is a moment they can move towards greatness.
He has highlighted a 3-0 success last year as inspiration.
He said: "The last few weeks the message has been really clear: there’s no room for gifts now. We’re at the business end of the season.
"It’s a derby, with a lot on it for both teams. This isn’t about being overcome with emotion or blood and thunder— we need to stay calm and just go about our business.
Fans probably remember the cup game here fondly—that was a big moment in our journey as a staff and group of players. Tonight could be another significant moment in our season. It definitely feels that way, but we have to remember it’s just like the other nine games in the league between now and the end of the season, and the FAI Cup quarter-final. It’s crucial that we don’t get wrapped up in the occasion of it and simply focus on playing the game."
Duff knows Bohs are just as in need of the points: "The Dublin Derby, we know there will be an edge I know we’ll bring that and match it, but we need to bring calmness and quality to our play as well, and I back our guys to go out and deliver that."
Sean Boyd (calf) and Dean Williams (knee) miss out for Shels.
Waterford v Derry City, RSC, 7,45pm
For all of Derry City's inconsistencies this year, they remain firmly in the mix for a league and cup double with a couple of months left in the season.
The main concern is City don’t look like finding the performances necessary to overhaul Shelbourne.
The gap is just two points, even if the leaders have a game in hand, so it’s just a matter of trying to better Damien Duff’s side each week.
City added Andre Wisdom to their squad this week. Patrick McEleney is also on the verge of a return which could be a game-changer.
One big problem has been getting service to Patrick Hoban. Despite being the top scorer in the league, Hoban has scored just once since early June.
It’s rare he goes more than four games. Four of his 12 goals this year have come against the Blues so this may be the perfect time to hit the goal trail once again.
Keith Long has done a magnificent job with Waterford.
The Cup exit was a body blow, so it will be fascinating to see how they will respond.
Their spirit was evident when coming from 2-0 to win in Dalymount Park in their last league fixture.
Niall O’Keeffe will miss the game to an ankle injury. Kacper Skwierzcynski will also miss the game through illness.
Kyle White (hamstring) Sam Sargeant (hand) both remain injured.
Darragh Leahy is available for selection, having his red-card against Athlone last Friday overturned.
Drogheda United v Sligo Rovers, Weavers Park, 7.45pm
If you need an analogy of the unorthodox nature of this year's Premier Division, it’s that Drogheda United go into this game fancied to pick up points, despite being bottom of the table and competing against the leader of the form table.
United have been in and around the relegation mix throughout the season yet have been competitive in so many games without being rewarded.
Some clever transfer business has helped them improve in the last month with a win over Waterford as well as reaching the FAI Cup last eight.
When overcoming the Blues, Waterford were caught on a bad night after some injury problems in the week and the same could occur for Sligo.
First-choice defenders Ollie Denham and Nando Pijnaker are doubts for the game.
Stephen Mallon misses out but Conor Malley does return.
Russell reveals that his players are still hurting having been knocked out of the cup, but wants his squad to use that disappointment as the fuel required to spur them on in the north east.
"We saw last week that if you don't show up and be at it from the start, then you will get turned over and that goes for any team in this league, both divisions.
"Drogheda have already beaten us this year so we know we cannot afford to be anything but fully focused and prepared for this game. They are only two points off Dundalk and they know a few points will push them up the table as the league is so tight. It's a home game for them in front of their own fans and they'll really be up for this one. So it's going to be tough for us but the players are keen to get going and forget about the UCD game. The best way to recover from a loss is to win your next game.
"We want to keep this league run going. The players have been excellent in the league lately and we're delighted with how they have performed and the wins they have picked up so we want to keep that feeling rolling into Drogheda and beyond."
