LOI preview: Hoops eye top spot as rivals meet

Shamrock Rovers could move to the top of the SSE Airtricity Premier Division for the first time this season as their rivals clash at Dalymount Park.

The Hoops make the short trip to UCD where they will be expected to pick up three points against the struggling Students.

College have shown signs of improvement and still have Cork City in their sights, sitting on six points from their 14 matches.

It's a major ask to expect anything tonight against the Hoops who have registered seven wins and a draw from their last eight games, including a routine 3-0 in Tallaght against tonight’s opponent.

The more intriguing fixture comes on the other side of the capital as current leading side Bohemians welcome Derry City.

Just three points separates the teams ahead of the fixture. City saw out victory in Drogheda last time out while Bohs will take solace in their performance in Tallaght despite the 2-1 defeat.

A Dean Williams penalty proved the difference in the Ryan McBride Brandywell meeting. Derry had been tipped to be the most consistent challenger to Shamrock Rovers for the title and this fixture will test that theory after some shaky results in recent weeks.

Dundalk have put their woes behind them with manager Stephen O’Donnell hailing their display in Sligo as the most rounded of the year so far last week.

Four defeats in a row has been followed by 11 points out of 15 to move back inside the top four.

The Lilywhites welcome managerless Cork City to Oriel Park later. Sporting director Liam Buckley, academy director Liam Kearney and Richie Holland continue to take interim charge of the Rebels as the search for a new boss goes on.

The trio saw a spirited display last week in a 3-2 loss to St Pat's. Buckley believes City can get out of their