Rovers can stretch lead at top with victory over UCD

Shamrock Rovers will look to take advantage of their head-start in this week's fixture list as they take on UCD in Belfield on Thursday night.

The fixture was moved from its regular Friday slot due to college commitments and as a result, the Hoops can open up a seven-point lead at the top with a victory at the UCD Bowl.

The Students, however, will be buoyed by their first win of the campaign at Finn Harps on Friday night and will be looking to maintain some momentum in their quest to move off the bottom of the table.

Hoops boss Stephen Bradley admitted that the players got a real boost following last weekend's victory over main title challengers Derry City as his side continue their quest for a third league title in a row.

Rovers were really tested by an excellent Candystripes unit at Tallaght Stadium on Friday night but rubberstamped their title credentials with a hard-fought 1-0 victory to move four points clear.

And the Hoops have a strong squad to choose from with Lee Grace the only doubt going into the game, while College must plan without key player Colm Whelan who suffered a cruciate ligament injury and looks set to miss the rest of the season.

"There was obviously a really good atmosphere in the dressing room and in training in the days after (the Derry win)," said Bradley. "It's still early, we know that but it's an important win."

Yet Bradley is aware of the threat that UCD can cause his side and expects his side to be fully focused on the task at hand

"Their last few games, when you watch them back, they've been very good. I'm sure they'll feel unlucky not to win the game against Dundalk and they obviously had a good win on Friday.

"They've been good the last few weeks so they'll come into the game full of confidence.

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