League of Ireland preview: Shamrock Rovers v UCD

Shamrock Rovers v UCD, Tallaght Stadium, 8pm

Going into Thursday's match at Shelbourne, Shamrock Rovers had two games in hand on Derry City but a stalemate at Tolka Park has reduced their margin of error in the title race.

That leaves Stephen Bradley's side just two points clear at the top of the SSE Airtricity League table with a game in hand over the Candystripes, who have been on a good run of form.

But the schedule is going to get hectic again with home and away matches against Norway's Molde over the next fortnight in between other league meetings, so the Hoops will want to make the most of a home fixture against a side battling at the other end of the table.

However, while UCD crashed out of the Extra.ie FAI Cup after a 4-1 loss to First Division Treaty United, that setback had come after staging a stirring comeback to shock Dundalk in the league, thereby climbing above Finn Harps in the relegation battle.

Do the Students believe that they can cause another upset, this time against the reigning champions?

"Going into the run-in, our league form has picked up a little bit and performances definitely, so going into every game we're looking for three points and hopefully we can get that in the next coming weeks," UCD midfielder Michael Gallagher told RTÉ Sport last week as EA Sports announced the return of the SSE Airtricity League Club Packs in FIFA 23.

"[The Dundalk result] shows the fight in the group to stay in the division now, coming from behind, trailing just before half-time as well which is a tough time to concede. But fair play to the lads, they rallied again and it's a credit to the fitness and the mentality of the players to be able to come back in the last 10 minutes against such a good side."

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