Shamrock Rovers can keep their outside hopes of retaining the Premier Division title alive as they face Galway United in a re-arranged clash at Eamonn Deacy Park.
The four in a row champions are in the midst of five matches in 14 days as they play catch-up due to their European campaign and also a game postponed due to international call-ups.
An impressive 4-0 success over Sligo Rovers last Friday was very pleasing for Stephen Bradley as they closed to a within a point of third place, with two games in hand to come.
United are also strongly in the mix for a European place after a brilliant return to the top flight this year.
Waterford, Sligo, the Hoops and Galway are separated by just a single point going into tonight's game, while St Patrick’s Athletic are also in the race if their good run of results continues.
It’s fair to say many eyes will be on this game, including title hopefuls Shelbourne and Derry City.
Bradley’s side will need a near-perfect finish to the season to make it five leagues on the bounce. Anything but victory here will likely rule them out.
With a trip to Derry to come on Friday, the Tallaght outfit are set to have a huge say in the title race and the battle for Europe this week.
Bradley praised his players for their display against Sligo: "I thought we were very, very good to be honest. There was a lot of really good stuff. It’s no coincidence we had no distractions during the week.
"We had a full week to ten days training which was good, and I think you could see that. Parts of our performance on Friday were really good.
"We’ve always said we move on quickly whether we win, lose or draw. Friday is no different, that’s done, the performance was good, but we move on and get ready for Galway on Monday night and hopefully get another three points."
Johnny Kenny scored the winner in the first meeting of these teams back in March.
The on-loan striker bagged two last Friday and is sure to start again tonight knowing another goal would put him top of the goal-scoring charts.
The two other games between these sides were played out as 1-1 draws, a much improved outcome for Galway compared to their usual results against Shamrock Rovers.
The Hoops are unbeaten in the last 30 Premier Division games between the sides with 25 victories.
Bradley said he will make changes to help cope with the physicality Galway bring as well as their own hectic fixture list.
He explained: "When you're picking a team to play Galway, you have to respect what they’re good at and that will have an impact on what you do. Then add in the fact that we’ve a lot of games this month, that will also come into play when picking the team.
"Everyone will play their part, Monday, next Friday and for the rest of the season. It’s about understanding that, as we go again in Derry next Friday, then the week after there are more big games. So, Monday, we pick a team to win the game in Galway but mindful that we have a heavy load coming up."
United have had 11 days to prepare for the game due to being out of the FAI Cup.
League leaders Shelbourne are also in town on Friday, meaning it's a tough week that could also bring plenty of rewards.
Having seen off Derry City last time, they'll hold no fears of what is to come.
Victory would put them into the top three tonight with some of the more difficult games out of the way in the run-in.
"You go from having no game in a fortnight to four games in 11 days, it is a lot, but we'll prepare for each game as it comes and hopefully we can deliver the kind of performances we have been doing in the last few games," manager John Caulfield told the Connacht Tribune this week.
"We have probably overachieved this season, we will be criticised by some for not scoring enough goals, but we have given every one a game, and it is great for us to be competing at the top end of the table.
"There is a group there battling to be in the top three and we are right in that mix. Rovers are coming on Monday, they have won the league the last four seasons and have qualified for the group stages of the Conference League, and we are battling with them at the top end of the table."
Lee Grace returns from suspension for the visitors.
Aaron Greene, Aaron McEneff and Rory Gaffney remain on the injured list.
