The upcoming double round of games will pit the title challengers against each other, beginning with tonight's televised clash of Derry City and champions Shamrock Rovers.
Without doubt the pressure is on Derry this weekend.
The Hoops and St Patrick’s Athletic will visit the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium with the three sides separated by just two points.
However, City’s run of five points from as many matches has been something of a concern.
An unbeaten period would certainly raise hopes they can maintain a tilt at finally toppling Stephen Bradley’s side.
In the opposite corner come a side warming to the task as they typically do this time of year.
Shamrock Rovers swatted Sligo Rovers aside with ease last week. While they are down bodies in attack, Aaron Greene came to the fore in Tallaght Stadium and the 3-0 scoreline was a fair reflection of the game. It could have been more in truth.
With several stars to return in the coming weeks, this is the time Derry must capitalise on their home patch.
The leaders Shelbourne will travel alone tonight when taking on a resolute Galway United side.
The north Dublin outfit will serve a punishment for the throwing of an object last month.
It’s unfortunate timing after a first loss of the season last Friday. Duff was unworried by the out come of the game. However it will be telling how they respond in this encounter.
There’s also a huge game in terms of the bottom of the table.
Dundalk once again failed to score as they slipped to a sixth loss in 10 matches last Monday against Bohemians.
Now facing a side that could be in the mix with them to avoid the drop, it's a real six-pointer in The Showgrounds.
After a promising opening to the season Sligo have slumped to back-to-back 3-0 losses in the capital.
They will see two home games over the next 72 hours as a big opportunity to open up a game on the Lilywhites.
Bohemians have turned their season around as they come into tonight in third place of the table.
The power of successive wins was never as clear in this ultra competitive league as they closed to within five points of leaders Shelbourne under new manager Alan Reynolds.
Drogheda United visit Dalymount Park tonight looking for their second win of the year. Five draws have made it seem like a strong run for United. They need to start climbing the table or risk being stuck inside that relegation play-off place.
The final game sees St Patrick's Athletic host Waterford with the Europa League trophy set to be on display at Richmond Park as part of its four ahead of the final.
The Saints will play European football in a couple of months, though the find themselves out of the places for next year as it stands.
The Blues secured a big win in their last game in the capital and will fancy causing an upset here.
Ruaidhri Higgins believes the games between Derry City and Shamrock Rovers are always entertaining due to the desire of both sides to take all three points.
Draws in the game have often suited the Hoops as this venue, including the one which went a long way to sealing the title last year,
Stephen Bradley wants to go on better on this occasion: "Obviously Derry are a good side and we know that. They’ve got good players and we know Derry away is always a difficult game but I think we’re in a good place.
"We’ll go up there with every intention to respect Derry but go try and win the game and that’s what we’ll try to do. It’s usually a good game, both teams are decent who go for it, so it has the makings of a good game and we’re really looking forward to it.
"The pitch definitely plays on your mind if you have players carrying knocks or players it doesn't suit. But we like the pitch, it’s big and we’d like it to be real grass, but it’s big and the spaces suit us. We like playing there and today will be no different."
Injuries have been a problem for Bradley, with several players still waiting for a finalised return date.
Bradley explained ahead of this game with Derry and Shels on Monday: "Nobody will be rushed for this weekend. Rory Gaffney and Seán Kavanagh trained on Thursday day, Johnny Kenny came on last week. We had a setback with Lee Grace, he will see a specialist in London.
"We’ve had good news on Jack Byrne’s scans, he had some treatment yesterday and will do some running today, hopefully all going well he’ll be back on the pitch next week in terms of back running and ramping it up. Hopefully, in the next week or two we can push him back in with the group.
"Aaron McEneff is similar, good news on his scans, he’s nearly there and hopefully the next two weeks he’ll be back around the squad. Neil Farrugia is getting there, he’s been back mixing with the group and we’re just waiting on the all clear from the surgeon. Seán Hoare will be next week. When you name off all the players, there’s quite a few and all are obviously good players, but we’re getting there. I’d be hopeful come the end of the month we should have most or all back all going well."
Patrick Hoban, Sadou Diallo, Patrick McEleney and Cameron Dummigan have been on the sidelines for Derry, with Higgins hoping one will return for this game.
He spoke yesterday of a belief Derry can find consistency in the bid to challenge.
The Candystripes came close to winning in Tallaght and they had a similar game last week in Drogheda. Both matches finished 2-2.
The Derry boss said: "It's important to be ruthless in front of goal when we’re dominating games, but it’s not just about goals.
"We need to be more ruthless defensively too, from front to back, and be able to manage games better when we have to."
Galway United v Shelbourne, Eamonn Deacy Park, 7.45pm
Shelbourne may be without fans for this game but they do have a luxury of all players being available.
With a loss last week Damien Duff may opt to freshen up his side.
Reds goalkeeper Conor Kearns feels that loss against Bohemians may work in their favour: "Spirits are still high despite last week's disappointing result and performance. It’s a mark of a good team to address issues and move forward.
"In a weird way I think this setback has given us extra motivation to set things right. This team as long as I’ve been here we have thrived on being hungry and having a point to prove. The last game has certainly shown that we have something to prove.
"Galway should have more points; even looking back at our game, 1-0 last month, they probably felt they could've come away with something. They’ve adapted to the Premier Division as well as any newly promoted team I’ve ever seen.
"Everyone knows the way they play - incredibly hard-working, they don’t give anything easily. We’re going to have to work hard. You need to be at your best to get a win there, we know that. We’ve shown we can win, but we’ve also learned that it’s not going to come easy."
It was a typical Galway performance in Waterford last week, claiming a point in difficult conditions.
If there has been one disappointment in a promising return to the top flight for United, it's that they've only notched one of their victories in front of their own fans.
They will have the advantage of being the only voices in the crowd tonight.
Sligo Rovers v Dundalk, The Showgrounds, 7.45pm
Brian Gartland continues to stress the positives for Dundalk as they search for a first win at an eleventh attempt tonight in Sligo.
Performances have certainly improved since Gartland and Liam Burns took over.
Defensively they're proving a tougher nut to crack. The concession of a header from a set-piece late on against Bohs was hard to take.
However, Gartland feels overall it shows Dundalk are going in the right way.
"We performed really well at Dalymount Park on Monday night but the final action, an assist or a strike on goal, just wasn't there.
"We’ve got a young profile of players in the forward positions and while it’s easy for us to say we need to have 'more confidence’ – the reality is that confidence comes with your performances.
"If we bring the performances that we brought last Friday and on Monday then hopefully we can come out on the right side of it in Sligo."
Robbie Mahon, Robbie Benson and Zak Johnson are doubtful while Ciaran McGuckin is injured.
It's something of a surprise Mahon is only considered a doubt after being stretchered from the pitch on Monday.
Sligo secured one of the best away wins in the last decade when the teams met earlier in the season.
The 5-0 score did not flatter the Bit O' Red.
Recent away matches have not gone as well. A return to The Showgrounds will be more than welcome.
Galway will visit Sligo on Monday, with John Russell knowing this is a time to profit.
"We know the importance of this weekend", he said.
"With two home games in quick succession it gives us an opportunity to bounce back after last weekend's defeat to Shamrock Rovers.
"Dundalk were probably the better team on Monday night against Bohemians even though they came away with nothing. They have good players who can hurt you so we're aware of the threat they bring.
"We know the areas we need to improve on and the players are fully focused and ready for the challenge ahead on Friday night."
First-choice defenders John Mahon and Nando Pijnaker are out long-term, while Simon Power serves the final game of a ban.
St Patrick's Athletic v Waterford FC, Richmond Park, 7.45pm
Home form has been vital for both of these sides.
The Blues showed they would be a match for anyone in the division when turning over the Saints at the RSC, a night which led to plenty of reflection in Inchicore.
Danny Rogers would take over in goal. Chris Forrester has also had a spell out of the side.
The 0-0 draw in Dundalk last week was frustrating, although in truth Pat's could have created more on the night.
Rising star Mason Melia missed a big opportunity to win the game.
Given a tough match in Derry awaits on Monday, victory here is important for Pat's to take some pressure off that fixture.
Manager Jon Daly sees his side just two points off second spot and is hopeful his team can continue their good form and push up the table:
"Our home form in recent weeks has been good so we need to try and continue to build on that and give the crowd something to get behind.
"The crowd is always loud and always at it, so it's great for the players to hear that and have that support.
"We won back to back home games the last time we were at Richmond and we'll be hoping to continue that with a good performance and the three points.
"It's important we go into the game full of energy and to be mindful that they have some very good players.
"We've said it numerous times before about being ruthless when our chances come and that we're calm in the final third"
Daly has most of his squad available
Axel Sjoberg will miss out as will Tom Grivosti.
Daly confirmed the Liverpudlian is back training and could feature for the U20s in the coming weeks as he continues his progress.
Ryan McLaughlin and Kieran Freeman are also "not too far away" from full fitness.
The Blues can overtake Pat's with another victory. Padraig Amond notched two the last time they met and he will lead the line once more.
Barry Baggley misses out through injury (back), while Ryan Burke serves a one-match suspension after picking up a red card last Friday against Galway United. Robbie McCourt is available for selection, after missing out on last Friday's draw with Galway United at the RSC.
Bohemians v Drogheda United, Dalymount Park, 7.45pm
It wasn't a vintage Bohemians performance over Dundalk, nor was the win in Tolka Park hugely pleasing on the eye.
But the steel Bohs have found under Alan Reynolds has been very pleasing for their supporters.
Four goals last weekend came from penalties and two headers from set-pieces. Reynolds has made an instant impact in finding the tools to win matches.
The Gypsies made six changes from Friday to Monday as the new manager coped with injuries and also got to see some players in one of the larger squads in the league.
Reynolds said: "We want to build on a positive week, make it three out of three, keep the momentum going and try to go on a run.
There is always a great sense of occasion and great atmosphere at games at Dalymount Park, and we want to send our home fans happy.
"We kept a clean sheet on Monday and that gave us a platform to build on. That has to be your starting point - being hard to beat - and we will get better attacking as we go. But first and foremost, we have to be hard to beat."
Jordan Flores returns from suspension. Keith Buckley and Rob Cornwall remain out.
Having seen more of what is at his disposal, the Bohs manager has lots to ponder for his selection tonight.
"I got to see Filip Piszczek play for the first time last Monday. He has only been back training a few days but we threw him in and he did well. He is a handful and I believe he will get better as he gets more games under his belt.
"James Akintunde has done exceptionally well up front in recent weeks, and came off the bench to score on Monday, but we need those options. I always thought that the lads on the bench would play a big role, and come on and affect the game.
"James, Declan McDaid and others did very well when they came on.
"With three games in a week, there will obviously be changes around again.
"Obviously Jordan Flores returns from suspension, and he is a big player for us. It's up to everyone to take their opportunity to impress when they get it."
Drogheda's sole victory came against Bohs and they showed their own battling qualities against Derry.
Frantz Pierrot broke his duck in the Premier Division - something which could make a big difference to their season.
Evan Weir, Andrew Quinn and first-choice goalkeeper Andrew Wogan miss out.
Luke Heeney and Adam Foley both return after suspension and injury.
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