There are more than bragging rights at stake as Galway United travel to the Showgrounds to take on Sligo Rovers on Saturday night (Kick-off 7.45pm ).
Both teams, along with Shamrock Rovers, sit on 34 points as we approach the business end of the season. With Shels and Derry having pulled away at the top, Waterford, United, Shamrock Rovers and Sligo will feel that they are in a battle for fourth.
Sligo have every right to be focusing upwards as the form team in the division. Their past three league games have seen them account for Shamrock Rovers and Derry at home, while beating Bohs away.
Former United striker Wilson Waweru is in form for the Bit O’ Red. He has four in his last two, including a hat-trick in the cup against Cobh Wanderers.
John Caulfield will be pleased with the shape of his side entering the Connacht Derby, after wins against Waterford and Longford. Those games saw the return of players like Colm Horgan from injury - and gave precious minutes to new singings, such as Junior Uzokwe and Bobby Burns.
Greg Cunningham should also be in the frame for a competitive debut after he tasted an hour of action in a 2-0 friendly win over a Mayo League selection on Tuesday in Moyne Villa. There is some hope also that Stephen Walsh might be available after he picked up a knock against Waterford.
It all means that Caulfield and company have a stronger hand than previously to choose from. Hence, there will be selection dilemmas all over the park.
Colm Horgan and Jeannot Esua are both outstanding options at right-back. Rob Slevin, Garry Buckley and Killian Brouder have all proven themselves at centre-back. Bobby Burns has slotted in well at left-back, Slevin has deputised there while Cunningham will be an incredible addition when match fit. Conor O’ Keeffe has also been solid and dependable when called upon.
In the middle, Maurice Nugent and Patrick Hickey have both been superb in recent weeks. Hickey has had to bide his time, but since grasping his chance he has added huge work-rate, physicality and aerial ability. Both will be hopeful of partnering Conor McCormack despite the availability of Dave Hurley and Vincent Borden. The latter made a welcome return against Longford and looked sharp.
Jimmy Keohane and Ed McCarthy appear to be the likeliest to start out wide currently. Keohane has settled very quickly and adds plenty of guile. McCarthy has been tigerish all season and his throw-ins have proved a valuable weapon of late.
Karl O’ Sullivan has had some magic moments in maroon also and will be keen for inclusion against his old club. Kyle Fitzgerald dazzled at times in his cameo against Longford and is pushing for meaningful minutes in a big game.
The fitness of Stephen Walsh might determine who plays up front. Junior got a valuable 90 minutes into his legs against Longford and importantly got off the mark for his new club. Francely Lomboto has consistently been given playing time from the bench.
The two ties between the sides this season have yielded two draws and no goals. Another tight affair cannot be discounted but both sides have improved their attacking statistics of late. Though United remain the second lowest scorers in the league, 11 of their 19 league goals have come in the 8 games since their last 0-0 draw with Sligo. The six against Longford in the cup should breed confidence also.
Sligo, meanwhile, have scored at least two in their last four games. Therefore, the season-long deadlock between the sides should be broken this Saturday. Whoever does score first will be in a great position to gain the three points and in turn put more pressure on the teams around them.
