LOI preview: European contenders meet again with Dublin derby live on RTÉ2

rte.ie:

The Premier Division is beginning to take shape in line of many of the early-season predictions as the halfway stage approaches.Shamrock Rovers and Derry City occupy the top two positions for a likely title race, with the latter currently leading the way by a single point.The Hoops can regain top spot with a draw or better in Cork tonight.The race for Europe could be between several sides.

Bohemians have the advantage over St Patrick's Athletic and Dundalk in that particular fight.Shelbourne have emerged as a surprise contender as well sitting just two points off the top four.The four teams formed two fixtures last week and do so again tonight.Bohemians, who came back from 2-0 down to rescue a draw away to Dundalk, host Shelbourne at Dalymount Park in a match live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player.Jon Daly will take charge of his first game as St Patrick's Athletic manager when the Lilywhites visit Inchicore.Daly has enjoyed a good start to life as number one and convinced the Pat's hierarchy to give him the job.With the new manager bounce already secured, it will be interesting to see how the Saints hold up that form.The relegation picture was expected to contain a few sides with UCD likely to occupy bottom spot.It is the case with College now six points from the play-off position and 11 from safety.They face a pivotal game against a Drogheda United outfit coming off the back of one of their best wins so far in the decade in Tallaght Stadium.Cork City are the other side firmly in the relegation mix.

They dragged Sligo Rovers closer to that position with a win last week, the only downside being Drogheda's success cancelling it out in theory.It will be much harder against the Dublin Rovers tonight, who have their eyes on the big