LOI preview: Shels and Derry face tricky away games

And then there was two?

Last Friday's first round of games after the break had a major impact on the league table.

Shelbourne and Derry City recorded wins to move further clear of four-in-a-row league champions Shamrock Rovers and open up a 15-point gap.

That may prove insurmountable.

At the other end Sligo Rovers’ victory over the Hoops put the bottom two in further peril.

Dundalk seemed to be making inroads when they beat the Bit O’ Red in mid-June, only to see their work undone.

Bohemians remain the side next to the Lilywhites in the table, but with two games in hand, it’s a big ask to overcome the Gypsies.

It looks the like the top two will fight it out for the title, while the bottom duo seek to avoid automatic relegtion.

Time is ticking in the bid to change those scenarios, but a flurry of transfer activity has occurred with the window opening given there is so much to play for.

Many sides making multiple signings, all with a view to changing that outlook.

The number of debuts tonight will reach double figures as a result of all the early activity.

The league leaders play the side bottom of the table in Drogheda United.

Shels have found it difficult against Drogs this season, with two draws so far, a sign of just how competitive the campaign has been.

But the three victories in 22 matches tells a story now for the Boynesiders.

Derry travel to Sligo as they look to make it five wins on the spin.

The Bit O' Red are buoyed by three points last week so an exciting clash is in store.

Elsewhere Shamrock Rovers and Dundalk are in a real need for points.

The duo have dominated the league for much of the last decade and find themselves in more difficult times currently.

The meeting of Waterford and St Patrick's Athletic could be a big one in