Bohemians are looking to continue their unbeaten start to the season against Dundalk at Dalymount Park as a busy period of Premier Division football continues tonight.
Last Monday's round of games saw the top eight teams in the league go unbeaten, with the Lilywhites one of just two outfits grabbing a win.
This match pairs two sides performing above expectations in the season so far. The Gypsies secured a point in Tolka Park in their last outing and could have had more with better finishing on the night.
Bohs boss Alan Reynolds is feeling positive going into the game in north Dublin: "I felt we could have nicked it but Shels had a great chance too so we will take the point, be happy with another clean sheet, and move on to tonight's game looking to win.
"To do that, we will need to be more clinical against a good Dundalk team. Ciarán Kilduff has proven himself to be an excellent manager, building on what was already a good squad that won the First Division.
"He has recruited well, bringing in some great experience, including the familiar faces of Keith Buckley and Rob Cornwall.
"They are fourth in the table, which is a great start for a team just promoted and they are improving too - coming into this game on the back of two great wins with two clean sheets, so we know that they are a side to be reckoned with and that we will need everyone performing to their very best."
Dundalk were far from their best when taking all three points against Sligo.
Nevertheless, the 1-0 success continued a brilliant return to the top flight for the Oriel Park side.
They will have a "no fear" outlook against the leaders, according to Kilduff.
"We are happy with the two results over the weekend. Going to Dublin to take on the league leaders, who are unbeaten, is going to be a huge challenge. We know the magnitude of the task.
"But we are ready. We have given a good account of ourselves in nearly every game so far this season, and Friday should be no different.
"We respect Bohs, but we have no fear, and we have faith and determination in what we are doing.
"We are missing a few bodies with a number of knocks and niggles, so we will be delving into our squad. Whatever team we put on the pitch, they are more than capable of doing us proud."
Shamrock Rovers will welcome a determined Galway United side to Tallaght Stadium.
United have seen every match of their season decided by the final moments, shipping late goals to lose some points, while also hanging on for home victories against the likes of Waterford and Sligo.
The Hoops’ unbeaten record against Galway is among the longest in Irish sport, standing at 42 league games without defeat for the Dublin side on a head to head basis in the Premier Division. It will take something special for United to come away from Tallaght with maximum points.
Derry City greatly need an injection of life into their season, even within this first series, as Drogheda United travel to the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium.
Tiernan Lynch's side has been unable to find any consistency week to week but could take some solace from leaving Richmond Park with a clean sheet and a point on Monday.
United also ended a poor run with a scoreless draw against Shamrock Rovers; tonight’s fixture offers the chance for both sides to build some momentum.
One side without any is Waterford FC as they host second place St Patrick’s Athletic at the RSC.
Jon Daly’s side scored three times in Eamonn Deacy Park, only for their depleted defence to ship four goals.
New signing Kevin Long will be ready shortly but this game comes too soon for the Republic of Ireland international.
The Blues boss said he felt embarrassed after their loss to Dundalk but at least showed their fans some fighting spirit.
It’s points on the board that Waterford need, however, as they sit at the foot at the table without a victory.
"We asked for a reaction I felt we got that against Galway. I thought we played some good stuff, scoring three goals against a very difficult opponent. But ultimately we’ve coughed up four goals again which you look at and see there are a lot of errors that are getting punished.
"St Pat’s are on a crest of a wave, they’re in good form. But I believe in us and in our group. I feel we’re being punished for every mistake we make at the moment. We need to get back to basics on tonight, and that’s been our work this week in training."
After 12 goals in four matches, Pat’s were held to a 0-0 on Monday. If the Saints find their scoring touch again, it could spell further trouble for Daly and his charges.
