Cork City must win tonight as Waterford FC visit Turner's Cross or they are staring a third relegation from the Premier Division this decade in the face.
The other clash, Derry City v St Patrick’s Athletic, is arguably just as important a fixture in the quest for a European finish.
But perhaps the most eyes will be on Leeside as one of the most recognisable names in the country faces demotion once more and the definition of being a yo-yo club.
- 2020 – Relegation
- 2021 – Failure to get promotion
- 2022 – Promotion
- 2023 – Relegation
- 2024 – Promotion
- 2025 – Relegation?
While many will play the blame game, should it comes to pass, it also demonstrates the difficulty of competing against the established clubs in the Premier Division.
City are 10 points behind ninth-place Sligo Rovers with eight matches remaining and simply must take three points or games will start running out to get out of the automatic drop.
Cork and Waterford met in the FAI Cup two weeks ago, when Cork emerged to reach the semi-finals.
John Coleman’s side went on to lose at home to Sligo last week, so they remain within danger of the play-off place.
As big a night it is for the Rebels, Waterford also know they have to start picking up points to ensure their own safety.
Experienced defender Kacper Radkowski made his return from injury last Friday night, coming on as a second-half substitute to make his first appearance since 16 May.
Coleman has a full squad to choose from.
The Blues boss said: "Football is a game where every game you don’t win the pressure mounts on you. We’ve got to stand up and be counted, and not hide from it.
"We’ve been guilty at giving up chances in front of goal – like what we did against Cork in the cup two weeks ago – and we’ve also given up horrendous goals at the back like the last four goals that we’ve conceded which have all been preventable, so we’ve got to get back on the front foot and stamp our attacking identity of the games."
The hunt for European places is ongoing. Last week, Derry and Pat's claimed unlikely away victories in the closing stages of matches in Galway and Drogheda.
Just seven points separate Bohemians in second and Shelbourne in sixth, and with both playing later in the weekend, as are Shels' fellow Conference League qualifiers Shamrock Rovers, the stakes are high at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium.
In theory, Derry remain in with a chance of lifting the league crown, but their performances this year have not merited such consideration.
Their hopes tonight are not helped by a number of injuries and suspensions.
Carl Winchester, Jamie Stott and Ben Doherty all sit out because of bans.
Centre-half Mark Connolly is a doubt with a calf injury, while striker Liam Boyce will be out for the rest of the year after surgery on his hamstring.
Pat's have also failed to live up to expectations this year. Many considered them possible league winners, yet that hasn't seemed likely since the first round of matches.
Their wins in Europe undoubtedly grew confidence, despite some injuries, and progression in the FAI Cup along with three points from matches with Sligo and Drogheda has changed the outlook.
Seven clean sheets in league and Cup has been the backbone, with the last goal conceded to a League of Ireland team coming when Derry won 1-0 in Inchicore in June.
The Saints looked primed for a big end to the year with a possible trip to the Aviva Stadium to come.
Kian Leavy, man of the match in the win at Sullivan and Lambe Park last week, said his team-mates are in a good place going into this encounter.
Leavy said: "There's a good spirit and in the camp at the minute. We've been playing well, scoring goals and keeping clean sheets So you can't really complain about how things have been going recently. But we have to obviously finish the season strongly.
"Derry are a good side and they've brought in a lot of new faces since we've last played them as well.
"They're very well drilled and it's a tough place to go up there. It's never easy up there so we just have to continue the form that we've been playing and hopefully we can get the result."
