Galway United vs UCD

Ninth faces tenth at Terryland Park on Friday night as Galway United entertain UCD. With eleven games remaining after this encounter, this match will not decide who stays up or goes down, but both Jeff Kenna and Pete Mahon will realise that both the confidence boost and breathing space above the drop zone that a win would give their troops is vitally important.

Galway enter the contest as the form side of the bottom four, having gained seven points from their last four league outings. An unfortunate League Cup exit on Monday night to holders Derry City also points to the improvement being seen under rookie boss Kenna. The manager again lined out at centre half on Monday and, as in Ballybofey the previous Friday, he provided calmness and an assured range of passing where before there was panic and an inability to consistently find a team-mate.

Kenna may have been forced into this role and continues to express his desire not to play, but if he studies the situation correctly he will know that his presence is required. Jesper Jorgensen has added a different dimension to Galway's attacking strengths with his hold up play while Iarfhlaith Davoren provides them with a natural left footed winger to replace Derek O'Brien.

Galway's home form has again been dire this season. Even if they had only won two of their ten games to date they would be looking down the table from a half decent position above the relegation spots. As it is, it looks like it could come down to the final round of matches, where intriguingly these two sides will meet again at the Belfield Bowl.

That could end up being a winner takes all encounter as neither Finn Harps or Cobh Ramblers look capable of mounting an escape bid. At this stage, Pete Mahon would probably take that last-day scenario as his side haven't won a game since late May. Scoring goals has been a serious problem for them since the loss of Conor Sammon, with only 13 netted to date. Where the goals to propel them towards safety will come from is anybody's guess, as Mahon will probably be content to outnumber the home side in midfield and settle for a scoreless draw.

Galway will be without the suspended (and injured) Alan Keane, while John Russell shipped a few heavy tackles on Monday night and is nursing an ankle problem. UCD will arrive minus Shane McFaul and Ian Bermingham due to injury.

Kick off at Terryland Park is 7.45 p.m.