LOI preview: Chasing pack looking to reel in Shelbourne

Three teams who still hold out hope of finishing with a flourish to claim this year's SSE Airtricity League Premier Division title are in action this evening as Derry City host Sligo Rovers and St Patrick's Athletic slip across the Liffey to take on Bohemians at Dalymount Park.

The RTÉ cameras will be up in Derry for the second time in a fortnight following on from their 2-0 FAI Cup semi-final win over Bohs at the Brandywell last Friday week.

The sides have since drawn 1-1 last Friday evening, a result which edged Bohs towards safety but put a slight dent in Derry's title hopes.

St Pat's are in the form of their life and will be looking to pick up where they left off from after a thrilling 3-2 derby win over Shelbourne at Tolka Park - also watched live on RTÉ Sport - which confirmed their potential league title credentials.

The Inchicore club will need an awful lot to go right for them over the next three weeks if they're to pull off the most incredible title smash-and-grab in many a year - but things have certainly been going right for Stephen Kenny's men of late.

Shelbourne still hold a shaky two-point lead at the top of the table on 54 points with three games left to play; Shamrock Rovers are in second on 52 points with the same games played. Derry lie a point further back with four games left; Galway are on 50 points with three to play while Pat's and Sligo are both locked on 47 points with still four games to play.

It seems inevitable that goal difference will play a big part and that's where Sligo's slim hopes may become even slimmer. The Connacht men have a -7 goal difference while Pat's are +8. Shels are on +9 while Rovers (+12) and Derry (+17) may feel they as good as have an extra point.

Word around the clubs

Bohemia