LOI preview: Top four seek wins ahead of Europe

This week sees the four sides competing in European competition play their final league game for three weeks and with it a chance to leave others toiling.

Shamrock Rovers, Derry City, St Patrick's Athletic and Dundalk have played two more matches than the rest of the Premier Division and occupy the top four positions.

The Hoops have a four-point advantage at the top, a reduced margin from a week ago after a surprise 2-0 loss in Oriel Park.

Derry City have just one win in seven matches yet are still in touching distance if they can find form in the final third of the campaign.

St Patrick’s Athletic find themselves in second place following their fine start to life under Jon Daly.

The sides chasing European spots have struggled in recent weeks.

Bohemians have one win in nine, Sligo Rovers two wins in that period and Shelbourne have three, with two of those coming in early April.

Things are also tight at the promotion/relegation play-off following Drogheda United and Cork City’s draw last week and Sligo moving slightly clear.

It leaves a crucial round of games before the break for the leaders in Europe and the FAI Cup.

Shamrock Rovers are in Drogheda – a venue and opposition they have found tricky in recent history, while Derry are seeking their first win of the season over Sligo.

St Patrick’s Athletic will hope to make further ground on the leaders when Cork visit Richmond Park.

Shelbourne will look to better their 0-0 results in Belfield earlier in the year against UCD while there’s an important clash for Bohemians when Dundalk visit Dalymount Park in a real six-pointer in the race for the top four.

Drogheda United v Shamrock Rovers, Weaver's Park. 7.45pm

The previous meeting of these sides saw Drogheda record the best win of their