Despite it being the fourth round of matches in the SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division, the stakes are high tonight for the first major Dublin derby and big games for sides struggling to put a win on the board.
All-Dublin clashes are practically a weekly fixture in a Premier Division where 40% of the clubs are from the capital city.
But the meeting of Bohemians and Shamrock Rovers is a notable event in the calendar and particularly given it is the penultimate one in the current edition of Dalymount Park.
There is also the added spice of Bohs leading the league table thanks to successive victories in Sligo and, more eye-catchingly, in Derry.
The Gypsies have shown they are an improved outfit so far this year and now face their hardest test against the dominant team of the decade thus far.
Bohs boss Alan Reynolds said: "This will be the first of many lasts at Dalymount Park this season and we want to make sure we create special memories in our final season here.
"This is our first game of the season in our own ground, and it will be the last Friday night game against our fiercest rivals before the stadium is redeveloped.
"There is still plenty to work on, plenty of areas where we can improve, so nobody is getting carried away but we will take confidence from that performance in Derry and that result.
"Taking on [Shamrock] Rovers is another big challenge for us. They have obviously set the standards over the past number of years."
The Hoops were off-form last Monday, as their traditional early season form came to the fore.
Tonight is a chance to remind the rest of the league just why they are the team to beat.
It has been a tough two weeks for Drogheda United with matters off the pitch as they welcome Shelbourne to Sullivan & Lambe Park.
United fans will not be able to attend an away fixture until mid-April after last night’s punishment dished out by the disciplinary committee of the FAI.
Little focus was put on the fact they rescued a point to continue an unbeaten start to the league.
Kevin Doherty is keen to build on the platform created early on: "We know it's going to be a tough game. Shelbourne have recruited really well in the off season, and have done really well the last few years in Europe and domestically, so we know it’s going to be tough, but we are looking forward to it.
"We are delighted with our start, seven points after three games, and we have shown different sides to our performances. There are things we want to improve on, but it’s early days yet."
Shelbourne have disappointed so far, failing to beat Galway United last week, and they’ve lacked any cohesiveness so far.
That may come in time but Joey O’Brien knows they can’t fall too far behind.
Derry City are under pressure early on as Waterford FC make the long trip north.
Given this is the final of four consecutive home matches for the Candystripes, it’s imperative they at least take seven points from such an opportunity.
Victory will be needed against a Waterford side that have shown potential with two draws so far.
The Blues came close to defeating Sligo Rovers last week, regretting a Padraig Amond penalty miss.
Daly knows anything they take from the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium will be hard-earned: "Only four teams in the league have won a game so far this season, that shows you the type of league this is.
"I think we need to be more ruthless. We had chances in the game [against Sligo] last week. When you come in afterwards and look at the stats of the game, I think we've had over 2.3 xG in the game, which for me says we should score a goal.
"Tiernan Lynch has brought in really good players to the Brandywell this window.
"We were only talking ourselves earlier in the week, who do they drop out of the side because they've to drop a player that could potentially play in most other teams in the league. The depth and strength they have within their squad is quite envious, but we’re obviously looking at ourselves and looking at how we can hurt them."
The Connacht derby also brings together two teams searching for a first victory.
Galway United were encouraged by their draw in Tolka Park and the addition of Frantz Pierrot this week only added to the optimism.
Sligo Rovers also grabbed a point on the road in Waterford. Goals may prove a problem for both sides this campaign and this may be a closely-fought affair.
It's the 100th match between these sides. United have claimed just 20 victories but they will be confident they can improve on that here.
Boss John Caulfield said he was looking forward to the contest: "We know what Sligo are like, we know how good they can play. They have done us a few times in our place; games have always been tight. We have a big week ahead of next week, to make sure we are ready. We need a big home support, hopefully a full house, but we need to be on it. We look forward to next Friday night."
Stephen Kenny comes up against his former player Ciaran Kilduff for the first time tonight as St Patrick’s Athletic host Dundalk.
The Lilywhites have laid down a marker by remaining unbeaten in matches away to Shamrock Rovers and Derry City and came close to beating their Louth rivals last week.
Kilduff is happy with the feeling in their camp ahead of another tricky away game: "We take a lot of confidence from the performances we've produced so far.
"A lot of lads will feel they’ve given a very good account of themselves in the opening three matches. We were hurt in our first two games by conceding late goals, but we’ve stayed honest in how we play and we try to attack in every game. We got our reward for this approach against Shamrock Rovers despite being down to ten men. There’s a very positive atmosphere in the squad. Now we have to make sure we’re ready to go again and produce the same level tonight."
The Saints have yet to score this campaign and will see tonight, and Monday’s rescheduled clash with Galway United, as big chances to get their season up and running.
