Title challengers Derry City will hope to win their game in hand on leaders Shelbourne and draw level on points with them when they host Sligo Rovers at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium on Monday in the League of Ireland.
The home team have accumulated 51 points from 32 games and are in third place with just four games remaining in the league season, while the visitors are sixth with 47 points after 32 matchweeks and could end Monday night four points behind Shelbourne.
Match preview
Derry City have finished second in their last two campaigns and have not won the title since the 1996-97 season, when Felix Healy was in charge of the club.
The Candystripes' title hopes could rest on their final match of the season against Shelbourne on November 1, a fixture that has seen the teams draw on each of their last six league meetings, including four goalless stalemates.
Boss Ruaidhri Higgins was critical of his players in the aftermath of their 1-1 draw with Bohemians in their most recent league outing on Friday, saying that his team should have won the game and made more of their gilt-edged opportunities.
Of the 10 teams in the top flight, Higgins's side have averaged the joint most goals per game and the third-fewest goals conceded per match.
However, the hosts are fortunate that Shelbourne have not taken advantage of the fact they have drawn four, lost three and won just one of their last eight league games.
Derry City have also drawn their last three matches at home in the top flight, though they did win their prior three at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium and have not lost any of their last 10 league fixtures at home.
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Opponents Sligo Rovers lost 3-2 in a friendly match against Celtic on October 9, and drew their last league match 0-0 with Shelbourne on September 27.
The visitors produced 15 shots but created no big chances in that draw, while Shelbourne managed to create two big chances from their 16 efforts.
Though manager John Russell said he was pleased with his side's showing against the league leaders, he was disappointed to have earned only one point and noted that his team dominated the ball in the first half.
Russell's side have been inconsistent in recent weeks considering they have won three, drawn one and lost three of their seven most recent competitive games.
Sligo Rovers' away form is concerning given they have drawn one and lost three of their last four league fixtures on the road and have lost five of their last seven away matches in the top flight.
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Team News
Derry City will be without defender Cameron Dummigan, who has not featured since late August as a result of a muscle injury.
Winger Daniel Kelly will also miss out, so expect Paul McMullan to start on the right of attack alongside William Patching, Michael Duffy and striker Pat Hoban.
Adam O'Reilly and Sadou Diallo are almost certain to be selected in a double pivot, while Andre Wisdom and Mark Connolly may start as centre-backs.
Meanwhile, Sligo Rovers will be unable to select winger Stephen Mallon, who has sustained a hip injury that will require surgery and will keep him out for the remainder of the season.
Elsewhere, striker Wilson Waweru could be set for an extended period on the sidelines after he ruptured his Achilles in his team's win against Dundalk on September 21.
Defender John Mahon may be available for his side's final game of the league campaign against St Patrick's Athletic on November 1, but until then Russell could name John Ross Wilson, Oliver Denham, Jack Henry-Francis and Reece Hutchinson in defence.
Derry City possible starting lineup:
Maher; Boyce, Connolly, Wisdom, Doherty; Diallo, O'Reilly; McMullan, Patching, Duffy; Hoban
Sligo Rovers possible starting lineup:
McGinty; Wilson, Denham, Henry-Francis, Hutchinson; Morahan, Malley; Power, Chapman, Fitzgerald; Pearce
We say: Derry City 2-1 Sligo Rovers
While Derry have struggled for consistency in recent matches, they have at least been difficult to beat at home.
When factoring in Sligo Rovers' poor record away from home, it would not be surprising if the hosts emerged as narrow victors.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Lewis Nolan
