There is another busy evening ahead in the Airtricity League with nine games taking place in the Premier and First Divisions.

In the Premier Division, all 12 teams are in action and there are two Dublin derbies but the big game is undoubtedly the meeting of second place Dundalk and third place Sligo Rovers at Oriel Park.

League leaders St Patrick’s Athletic are involved in one of the derbies as they face Shelbourne at Richmond Parkwhile, across the city, Bohemians host arch-rivals Shamrock Rovers at Dalymount Park

Elsewhere, fourth place Derry City meet Drogheda United for the sixth time this season while Bray Wanderers host Cork City and Limerick take on UCD at Thomond Park.

In the First Division, the final cycle of games commences with leaders Athlone Town looking to extend their unbeaten run to ten games when they travel to Mervue United while third place Waterford United head north to Finn Harps and Wexford Youths host Cobh Ramblers.

Friday Previews

Premier Division

Bohemians v Shamrock Rovers, Dalymount Park, 7.45pm

Both teams go into this Dublin derby desperate for a win as both have suffered defeat in their last two league games. Their two previous meetings in the League this season have ended in draws. Bohemians are without former Shamrock Rovers player Karl Moore (suspended) and Ciaran Nangle (ankle injury), but Keith Buckley returns from suspension and Andy Mulligan from hamstring injury. Chris Lyons (bruised ribs) faces a late fitness test. Rovers have ruled Richard Brush (shoulder) and Billy Dennehy (thigh) out of the game through injury, while Mark Quigley remains a doubt with a calf injury. Derek Foran, Jason McGuinness, Sean O’Connor and Stephen Rice are all suspended. Eamon Zayed returns from international duty and will be available.

Bray Wanderers v Cork City, Carlisle Grounds, 7.45pm

Bray have gone eight league games without a win whlie Cork have enjoyed two wins since caretaker boss Stuart Ashton was appointed following Tommy Dunne’s departure almost two weeks ago. The sides have met twice already this season with each side recording away wins and Bray have failed to keep a clean sheet in any of the last 11 meetings and just once in the last 17 league meetings. Seagulls’ captain Danny O'Connor who has missed Bray's last four games with an Achilles injury has recovered as has fellow defender Shane O'Connor (knee). Ismahil Akinade, who was suspended for last week’s trip to Sligo, is also back. Cork have lost their last five away games in the league and travel to Wicklow without Darren Dennehy (foot) and Kevin Murray (groin) and doubts over David Ryan (groin) and Neal Horgan (knee). Dary Horgan is suspended but Kalen Spillane returns after serving his ban and Kevin Burns is back in training.

Derry City v Drogheda United, Brandywell Stadium, 7.45pm

Derry City and Drogheda United meet for the sixth time this season, the most recent being the Boynesiders win in the EA SPORTS Cup semi-final. While Drogheda have the edge in the three cup games, Derry have won of the two league meetings and drawn the other and must win to keep pace with the leaders at the top of the Premier Division. The home side will be without the services of Stewart Greacen (knee) and Kevin Deery (knee).Drogheda’s Shane Grimes is suspended for the trip and there is a doubt around Gary O'Neill who has a knee problem while Graham Rusk is definitely out with a calf problem. Eric Foley returns to the squad.  

Dundalk v Sligo Rovers, Oriel Park, 7.45pm

A big crowd is expected at Oriel Park where high-flying Dundalk meet defending champions Sligo Rovers as second faces third with just three points separating them, although the North Westerners have a game in hand. Sligo won the earlier meeting at Oriel 3-1 while Dundalk took the honours at the Showgrounds winning 1-0.  Dundalk’s Tiarnan Mulvenna is suspended while John Mountney is rated as doubtful with an ankle ligament problem and will have a late fitness test. However, Dane Massey (knee) is set to return. In team news, Iarfhlaith Davoren, Ross Gaynor and David McMillan are out because of injury.  Raffaele Cretaro, Evan McMillan and Gavin Peers are doubts for Sligo after picking up injuries against Shamrock Rovers in the midweek EA Sports Cup defeat. Danny North (hamstring) is also a doubt. Sligo have won their last two games away to Dundalk and winning a third successive game at Oriel Park would be a first for them.

Limerick v UCD, Thomond Park, 7.45pm

With just one win from their last five league games, Limerick will be looking to consolidate their place in the top six with a win over a UCD side that has only managed one win in their last six games and are perilously close to the relegation zone. Limerick have taken four points from the two meetings earlier in the season and are looking to record back to back wins at home for the first time this season. Limerick midfielder Stephen McGann and joint top scorer Shane Tracy are both out through injury while Robbie Williams is suspended. Shaun Kelly and Dave O’Leary return after suspension while Pat Pucell and Brian O’Callaghan are back in training. Aymen Ben Mohamed (foot injury), Mark Langtry (suspended) and James Kavanagh (suspended) are missing for UCD.

St. Patrick's Athletic v Shelbourne, Richmond Park, 7.45pm

Leaders St Patrick’s Athletic face their second Dublin derby in a week and are due to meet Shelbourne again on Monday evening in the Leinster Senior Cup semi-final. The match marks Johnny McDonnell’s first return toRichmond Park as manager of an opposition team since he left Pat’s in 2009.  Saints have won the two previous meetings this season but Shels have been rejuvenated under McDonnell and are unbeaten away from home in their last four league games. Saints must plan without the services of John Russell who is suspended while Shane McFaul (groin) is injured. Shels, who have not beaten Pat’s since the 2011 FAI Ford Cup semi-final, will once again be without the services of Paul Crowley, Robert Bayly, Mark Leech and Jack Memery through injury while Pat Flynn misses out through suspension.

First Division

Mervue United v Athlone Town, Fahy's Field, 7.45pm

With just seven games to go, Mervue United’s chances of winning the First Division could hinge on the outcome of this game as defeat would leave them 12 points behind leaders Athlone Town who travel to Galway looking to extend their unbeaten run to ten games. Mervue have only lost once in six games and have only tasted defeat once at home this season. The three previous meetings this season have resulted in two draws and a win for Athlone and the Midlanders are the only team Mervue have failed to beat this season. Roddy Collins side are at full strength while Mervue have Jason Molloy and Ryan Manning back after suspension and also include fit again Gary Curran and Gary Kelly in their squad.

Finn Harps v Waterford United, Finn Park, 7.45pm

Wexford Youths v Cobh Ramblers, Ferrycarrig Park, 8pm

Sixth plays seventh at Ferrycarrig Park with Wexford just two points ahead of Cobh Ramblers. Wexford are without a win in their last seven league games although they are unbeaten in the last two following a run of five successive defeats. Cobh have won 11 points from the last 21 available and have the upper hand in the three meetings between the sides this season with two wins, one draws eight goals scored and none conceded.