LOI preview: Stakes high for Shelbourne and Bohemians

Away from the business end of the European qualifying rounds, the League of Ireland title race takes over tonight with the top two in action.

Officially now in the final series of matches, the run-in sees Shelbourne hold the advantage on Derry City with Shamrock Rovers still in with a shout.

Indeed there are three more sides that could put themselves into the mix with a run of victories in the most open race in many years.

At the other end of the table, Drogheda Untied and Dundalk are looking to suck Bohemians into the relegation mix.

With just three matches tonight, it is an opportunity for some teams to add real pressure on their rivals going into Sunday's fixtures.

The game of the night is a Dublin Derby between Shels and Bohs given the importance at both ends of the table.

Waterford and Derry City both need the points as they clash at the RSC. The Candystripes have dominated the fixtures so far.

Elsewhere an improving Drogheda United can move off the bottom if they get the better of in-form Sligo Rovers.

Both the Blues and the Bit O’ Red are reeling from surprise FAI Cup defeats so what we get from each side tonight is hard to predict.

It will be a night of real significance.

Shelbourne v Bohemians, Tolka Park, 7.45pm

"Soul-searching" has been a term used by Bohemians on a few stages this year.

The Gyspies progressed to the quarter-finals of the FAI Cup away to Kerry on Sunday but needed extra time and penalties to do so.

Fans were unhappy with the performance and given they have just one win in 14 in the league, it's easy to see why.

Seeing Shelbourne heading towards a title has compounded the difficulty of the season, given it was Bohs riding high in recent years as Shels dealt with mediocrity.

This is a match which could send