LOI preview: Dundalk hoping to close the gap

St Patrick's Athletic v Dundalk

Dundalk travel to St Patrick’s Athletic for their game in hand over league leaders Shamrock Rovers and will be hoping to cut the defending champions advantage at the top to seven points.

The Lilywhites come into the game off the back of a disappointing derby defeat to Drogheda last week and manager Stephen O’Donnell will be demanding a response from his players.

St Pat’s meanwhile have Dundalk firmly in their sights.

A win for the Saints would see Tim Clancy's side climb to within two points of third placed Derry and just three points behind Dundalk.

It’s a big game in terms of the Inchicore side’s European pursuit and having lost 1-0 and drawn 0-0 already this season, manager Tim Clancy is looking for a win.

"We have had two very tight games against them already this season and there is very little in the games," the Saints manager said.

"I've gotten to see them a playing a good few times and I suppose the benefit of us not playing last weekend was we were able to go up and watch the Drogheda Dundalk game.

"The home game here the last time, I think Sheppard made a few unbelievable saves, one particularly really good one from Eoin Doyle late on to get them a point and then we gave up a soft goal against them in the first half when Daniel Kelly scored in the return fixture.

"I think the way we played in the second-half when were knocking on the door possibly should have gotten an equaliser. We felt disappointed to come away from that game without a point at the very least so we know it's going to be another tough game, but it's one we are prepared well for and one we want to go and try and win"

O’Donnell has a similar view and expects another tight encounter between his side at St Pat’s.

"It’s two