LOI preview: European sides aim to extend advantage

Tonight sees the four sides competing in European competition clash in the SSE Airtricity Premier Division as games are brought forward to assist them in late summer.

It has become a tradition to move two matches into May in order to give the clubs a free weekend in around their first round qualifier.

The same teams will also meet on Monday 26 June, thus leaving them vacant on the weeks ending 16 July and 28 July. The latter coincides with the beginning of the second round.

Shamrock Rovers host St Patrick's Athletic tonight at Tallaght Stadium as the Hoops begin life at the top of the table once again.

The sides met at the venue on 14 April. Since that, Stephen Bradley’s side have won eight from nine in an unbeaten run which also includes seven clean sheets.

Pat’s have recorded back-to-back victories under interim boss Jon Daly. His chances of landing the permanent role are increasing all the time.

A positive result here could go a long way to securing it.

The Hoops made five changes for their win over UCD so they have the luxury of being able to freshen their team for a midweek game.

Bradley said: "We had a couple of knocks and obviously we’ve had players that needed games. Like we’ve always said, we trust everyone within the squad so it was important with the week that we’d had, and the week coming up that we changed it up. I thought some of the performances were very good.

"St Pat’s are slightly different in how they’re setting up and how they’re playing. There are different tactical tweaks to what they’re trying to do and I’m sure we’ll see that tonight.

"But one thing that hasn’t changed for Pat’s, no matter who their manager is, is that they have some very good individuals.

"Young Adam Murphy has been very good, and they