League of Ireland preview: Hoops in last-chance saloon for title race

Shamrock Rovers are in the last-chance saloon in the bid to save their five in a row title hopes as they take on European hopefuls Waterford.

There are just three matches tonight with two games impacting the bottom of the table as well.

But the focus will certainly be on the RSC to see if Stephen Bradley's side can put together the run they need.

The Blues were dealt a blow last week with defeat to bottom side Drogheda United as the race to qualify for the Conference League heats up.

Four teams are now separated by three points, including tonight’s participants Waterford.

The champions will watch on as leaders Shelbourne take on Derry City on Monday and can make ground on at least one side if they win tonight.

Keith Long’s side have made a remarkable transition to life back in the Premier, with a 3-1 success over the Hoops at Tallaght Stadium one of the highlights.

Goalkeeper Sam Sargeant remains absent after picking up a fractured hand in training last week.

Bradley was very unhappy with his side when they went from the high of Champions League progression to losing in the FAI Cup to Bohemians.

He is keen to avoid a repeat on the back of another spirited display.

"What we need to really focus on is that we can’t have a performance like when we played Bohemians after a European tie," he said.

"We came off the back of the Vikingur game and we looked a million miles away against Bohs.

"If we go to Waterford like that, there’s no doubt we’ll get beaten. We need to ensure that our mentality, attitude and focus is right. If it is, we’ll be fine, but we need to make sure we’re fully focussed on what is in front of us."

"It’s a big game. With league games now, we’ve put ourselves in a position where we need to take maximum points most