LOI preview: Derry look to make ground against improving Dundalk

Derry City will aim to reduce Shamrock Rovers' lead at the top tonight when they host Dundalk at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium.

Just weeks on from holding a six-point advantage, Derry now trail by seven points with this their game in hand following the Hoops win over UCD.

The Candystripes gained lots of praise for their performance in an unfortunate defeat to the champions last week, laying down a marker that they will be a long-term challenger.

While that was a major comfort in defeat, failing to keep up with Stephen Bradley’s side would be disappointing and tonight’s game will certainly be one of their hardest of the series.

Dundalk have been a force at Oriel Park but have not been able to replicate that on the road. Just five of the 25 points accumulated so far this campaign have been won away from home.

Stephen O’Donnell’s side have moved into third place and their rivals in the race for European places have played a game more.

With such an impressive record at home, a first away victory of the season would put them in an even stronger position.

In defeating Bohemians last week, they moved clear of Keith Long’s side.

Last like week, it’s another critical set for fixtures in the race for Europe. Two sides struggling to keep the pace are Bohs and Sligo Rovers and they meet in Dalymount.

Sligo have won just two of their last 11 games, while the upturn for Bohs came to an end in Dundalk.

Defeat for either side will leave them playing catch-up.

St Patrick’s Athletic have found more of a steel since their heavy defeat to Derry and a point in Sligo was a decent outcome last week.

With the teams in and around them meeting tonight, they face a Shelbourne side on the rise.

Damien Duff’s men recorded successive wins for the first time