Shelbourne host Athlone Town in the game of the season in the SSE Airtricity Women's Premier Division, with the clash at Tolka Park on Saturday set to have a huge say in the title race.
The duo have established themselves as the leading clubs in the country and, like last year, are battling it out in these final matches.
Shels are certainly in the must-win camp as the midlanders have a one-point lead and a game in hand to play with the season due to finish in a fortnight.
Victory for Shels would put significant pressure on Athlone, currently under the leadership of interim boss John Sullivan, who have one tricky tie away to Peamount United to come.
Eoin Wearen’s Shels side have a far tougher run-in with games against Wexford and Shamrock Rovers ahead. Nevertheless, all is not lost.
The 2024’s title was decided on how the matches went between the duo last year.
Athlone’s win and draw in the fixtures proved decisive as they finished two points clear at the top.
Shels remain the more efficient in front of goal.
Their recent eight-goal demolition of Sligo Rovers help them take the initiative on goal difference, now +46 to 35.
The sides only met for the first time this year in August as a re-arranged clash also went the way of Athlone.
Natalie McNally and Kelly Brady were on target in a 2-1 win to put Athlone top of the table a month ago.
With the exception of last year's cup final when Shels won 6-1, matches between the two teams have tended to be tight and the same can be expected at Tolka Park.
