Sligo Rovers v Galway United, The Showgrounds, 7.45pm
The Connacht derby protagonists are facing very different circumstances as they meet for the first time this season.
Sligo Rovers are rock bottom after last week's 4-2 defeat to Bohemians at Dalymount Park, while Galway United are nine points better off than the Bit o' Red with John Caulfield's side sitting third despite suffering their first defeat of the season at Shamrock Rovers last Friday.
It's been a difficult campaign to date for Sligo on the results front. Scoring goals hasn't been an issue though with 11 in eight games putting them second overall with only St Patrick's Athletic having scored more (12). Owen Elding, who netted an equaliser at Bohs last week, leads the way with three of those.
However, it's the 19 conceded at the other end that has left John Russell's side rooted to the bottom, three points below Cork City, and it's by far the leakiest defence in the league statistically.
That's a stark contrast to Galway who have been hard to break down since they returned to the top flight last year.
This season, just seven goals have been conceded by Galway and they have more of an edge at the other end, scoring 10 times compared to half that total at this stage last season.
Patrick Hickey, who has carried his good form from the latter part of last season into this one, and New Zealand newcomer Moses Dyer (both three goals each) have played a key part in bolstering that particular statistic.
Their appetite will be whetted by the prospect of coming up against a porous Sligo rearguard, especially from their strongest suit of setpieces and regular balls into the box.
But dead balls are something Caulfield insists Galway will also have to be wary of defensively however, given that Sligo have the league's first dedicated setpiece coach among their staff in the shape of Canada native Jesse Acteson.
"They've brought in a setpiece coach, and you can really see the difference," Galway manager Caulfield told his club's website.
"There’s been an awful lot of work done, both offensively and defensively. They’re much better in both boxes now and it’s something we have to be ready for."
On the challenge of going to the Showgrounds, Caulfield added: "It's always a tough place to go. They beat Shamrock Rovers at home earlier in the season, and it’s never an easy game. But we also know we’ll have a big travelling support behind us, they’ve been brilliant for us all year. It’s a Connacht derby which we’re looking forward to."
The Showgrounds were not a happy hunting ground for the Tribesmen last year. Last season's head-to-heads at Sligo's home ground ended in a 0-0 draw and 2-0 defeat and Galway also failed to win their two home games against the Bit o' Red.
Sligo will be without Jake Doyle-Hayes and Cian Kavanagh tonight as both serve the final games of their respective suspensions, while Wilson Waweru is out for tonight and Ollie Denham and Harvey Lintott are also unavailable due to injuries sustained against Bohs.
However, Russell can welcome back midfielder Jad Hakiki and captain John Mahon from suspension as well as Stephen Mallon who is back from injury.
"This is of course a massive game for us. We want to start turning some very good recent performances into results as quickly as we can," said Sligo manager Russell of the task that awaits them against Galway.
"I've been very impressed with the character of this group of players. They have never let their heads drop or standards slip over the last few weeks.
"The hunger and fight is there. We see it in every game and every day in training from each and every player. We need to bring that into the game against Galway.
"It's hard to think of anything better than a really competitive Connacht derby in front of a big Showgrounds crowd. We can't wait for it. "
