LOI preview: Derry and Saints to test credentials

Tonight begins a busy early March for the Premier Division sides with four rounds of fixtures before St Patrick's Day.

The obvious theme after two games played is how competitive the league will be with no 100% win record remaining.

The champions Shamrock Rovers fell to a surprise defeat to Shelbourne last week and it gives two of their likely rivals, Derry City and St Patrick’s Athletic, the chance to show their credentials when they clash at the Ryan McBride Brandywell (live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player).

Shels may well emerge as a big contender to the four-in-a-row winners as they face a testing trip to Sligo this evening.

The Hoops will be confident of returning to winning ways at Tallaght Stadium against a Drogheda United side that struggled defensively last week.

The two newly-promoted sides Galway United and Waterford will clash at Eamonn Deacy Park having taken well to life back in the top flights. The Blues head the table while United shocked Dundalk last week.

Bohs and the Lilywhites is the final game of the night at Dalymount Park. Amid lots of squad changes and rancour among supporters, there has been positives and negatives for the clubs so far. More will be learned on how they will fare this season in the clash in north Dublin.

Kick-off in all games is 7.45pm, including at the Brandywell where the RTE cameras will be present.

Derry City v St Patrick’s Athletic, Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium, 7.45pm

Derry can look forward to meeting the holders of the FAI Cup and league title over the next three days.

After a frustrating night in Sligo last week where there was little in the way of goalmouth action, it might be a different story back on their home patch.

The clash with Pat's is the focus for manager Ruadihri Higgins

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