LOI preview: Shebourne aim to maintain lead at top in televised Dublin derby

The second series of matches in the SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division matches begin tonight, with league leaders Shelbourne hosting Bohemians in a Dublin derby in front of the RTÉ cameras.

It was a chaotic first quarter with two managers losing their jobs, including Stephen O’Donnell this week, and Shels rocketing to the summit.

Derry City and St Patrick’s Athletic have had rocky spells, while champions Shamrock Rovers sit nine points off the lead with a game in hand.

On this Masters week, the league’s equivalent of 'moving day’ in this second series.

There will be three Monday fixtures for some teams with rescheduling due to postponements and future European matches.

Many expect the Hoops will reduce Shelbourne’s lead in this period.

The clash with Bohs represents the first of many tricky games to come for the Reds.

An FAI punishment means they will play without fans at their next away game in Galway.

Elsewhere there is a clash of the Rovers when Shamrock host Sligo at Tallaght Stadium.

Stephen Bradley’s side looked to be cruising to three points against St Pat's in Inchicore until some lapses and poor finishing cost them.

Sligo also had a painful defeat at the venue in their last game having sat out last week following Storm Kathleen.

Managerless Dundalk take on Pat’s as a new era gets set to begin at Oriel Park.

It will be interesting to see what impact the departure of O’Donnell has as Liam Burns and Brian Gartland take interim charge.

The Saints come into the game in great spirits after back to back victories in home matches and are well-positioned now in the table, even with four defeats.

The two newly-promoted teams try to continue their fine starts to life in the Premier Division when they colllide at the RSC.

Waterford and