The penultimate round of SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division fixtures begins tonight as two sides look to move closer to a place in Europe, while their opponents are battling for survival.
Drogheda United were very pleased to see Bohemians and St Patrick's Athletic draw last Monday, allowing Kevin Doherty’s side a much better chance of reaching the top four.
Two wins could well be needed as we explained earlier in the week, beginning away to Galway United tonight.
United boss Kevin Doherty is not worrying himself with what will happen elsewhere.
He told the Drogheda Independent: "I haven’t spent much time contemplating percentages and I don’t know what our chances are, but at the start of the season people would have said no chance.
"Really you’re wasting a lot of time looking at permutations. We have to look after ourselves and so we’re just completely focused on Galway.
"You can’t say it’s a must-win [tonight]. We’ll be doing everything we can until it’s mathematically impossible and our intention is to win the game.
"Galway have won their last two games at home and they beat us the last time down there as well. Patrick Hickey was out for a while, but he’s back now and Stephen Walsh is doing what Walsh does. The couple of wins has given them momentum."
The Tribesmen are just as desperate for points. Last week’s win over Bohemians was badly needed and leaves them as one of three teams level on points in the bid to avoid the play-off.
John Caulfield will be delighted to be back in Eamonn Deacy Park due to their struggles away from home – with no win since April – but they’ve proven a stronger force on home ground.
The other game sees St Patrick’s Athletic host Waterford in Richmond Park.
The Saints have no wiggle room in their quest to reach the top three after Monday’s draw with Bohemians.
Defeat tonight would likely end their hopes of fourth as well.
Nevertheless Stephen Kenny remains confident two wins would be enough for his side, while needing Shamrock Rovers to lift the FAI Cup.
Grant Horton will miss the trip to Richmond Park in a blow for Waterford.
Blues interim boss Matt Lawlor feels his side will show battling qualities: "Training has been as good as it ever has been this week. It's been bright and professional, and it’s been information driven for the players to go into a game against St Pats. They’re a good side. We went to watch them on Monday in Dalymount so we know they’re a good team.
"We can only prepare for what we think the best version of St Pats will be. We saw a really good version of them last Friday against Shamrock Rovers, and again on Monday. But we’re also trying to put our best version forward ourselves.
"It’s a good ground to play in. It’s a tight pitch, and we’ve got to make sure we feel on top of them during the 90 minutes. We’ve always had good support on the road, and we want to make the Blues support proud tonight. We will put out a team that looks like a Waterford team in my opinion, fighting for the badge."
The remaining matches in the round take place over the weekend.
Sligo Rovers could end up in the relegation play-off as they face already relegated Cork City in The Showgrounds.
Shamrock Rovers will look to wrap up the league title when they face nearest challenger Derry City in the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium.
Bohemians host Shelbourne in another crunch match in the race for European places in Dalymount Park.
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