Eamonn Collins' side have leapt up the table to third, thanks largely to an unbeaten May record, but they have yet to win away from home this season.
Bird was the scorer in the corresponding fixture last season, a tight August meeting which saw a twelfth minute goal from the then midfielder seal a 1-0 Pat's win. He is only two behind top scorer John O'Flynn of Cork City and also managed to net last April against Rovers in a 1-1 draw at the Stadium of Light. Only last Monday, their second string sides meet in a League Cup quarter-final, with Pat's running out deserved 3-0 winners.
It looks like just one goal will decide matters and do not discount former Saints' striker Trevor Molloy from raining on Pat's parade before the two week June break. Liam Buckley's Hoops have lost two of their last four League games and are sure to have one eye on their European preliminary match against Polish side Odra Wodzislaw in nine days' time. They are also currently unbeaten at home, with recent wins over Cork (2-1) and an inspiring 5-1 thrashing of Derry.
Verdict: S Rovers 1 St Pat's 1