Preview: Shelbourne and Derry City to face off in title race duel

A potentially defining game in the League of Ireland Men's Premier Division comes at Tolka Park tonight as Shelbourne look to move in on an unlikely league title success.

Standing in their way is a Derry City outfit often maligned for failing to live up to their potential, knowing that could also change with their own victory.

Trailing by three points, and with four in a row champions Shamrock Rovers still hovering behind them, the greater need for points is undoubtedly with Derry.

The Candystripes have had a fortnight to get set for this game after their European exit and indeed it’s a month since their last league encounter.

That was a real negative as Sligo Rovers ended a run of wins for City and coupled with the humiliating exit to FCB Magpies in the Conference League, it wasn’t a happy July at the Brandywell.

Victory in the FAI Cup over St Patrick’s Athletic did offer some consolation.

Higgins has won that competition already as manager and the expectation was they would go on to greater things.

They have not been able to take the next step

The Candystripes boss refused to admit it was a "must not lose" scenario for his side as they travelled to Dublin tonight.

He said: "We're going down there to win the game. That's the ambition and that's what we're going to try to do. The players are in great spirits. We've had good preparation leading into the game. We'll definitely be going down with the intentions of winning.

"There's 33 points to play for. I don't think tonight will be the deciding factor by any stretch. Another thing I would say is Shamrock Rovers are far from dead and buried in opinion and there's another couple of clubs creeping up behind as well.

"This is a really important game, there is no denying that, but is it