LOI preview: Derry City and Bohemians face off in televised game

Derry City and Bohemians clash tonight in another televised League of Ireland match on RTÉ, with both sides knowing they have to turn around alarming dips in form.

City were left reeling after a very poor double-fixture, including a disastrous display against St Patrick's Athletic that saw four goals shipped and injury problems mount.

Talisman Patrick McEleney is set for a spell on the sidelines. As expected, Colm Whelan is out long term and another Republic of Ireland underage international, Ollie O’Neill, will return to parent club Fulham after this game.

Michael Duffy and Cameron Dummigan also may miss out. With just one point from the last three matches, it’s vital for Derry to come away with maximum points here given Shamrock Rovers face UCD tonight and could extend what is already a four-point advantage.

Bohs have also struggled to put points on the board. They’ve accumulated just 12 from a possible 30 and now have teams closing in on them in fourth place when it seemed they were a long way to securing such a position earlier in the season.

The games between the teams have resulted in 1-0 away victories so far in the year.

It has been a difficult year for UCD as they prepare to take on Shamrock Rovers.

Seven defeats on the spin and the resurgence of teams above them have left them all but relegated even just after the halfway stage.

Anything other than a comfortable home win for the Hoops would come as a ginormous shock – and chances are they can move further clear of the chasing pack tonight.

St Patrick’s Athletic have powered into a tie for second place to begin hopes of a title challenge in part two of the season.

Six wins from seven games under Jon Daly has been very taking for Saints fans, with Richmond Park bouncing