Shamrock Rovers will look to avoid another slip-up when they return to Munster tonight to take on an out of form Waterford at the RSC.
The Hoops were set to go a long way towards clinching the league crown last Friday when eventually breaking down a stubborn Cork City side through Danny Grant.
But Darragh Crowley's long-range strike in injury-time denied Stephen Bradley’s side and allowed Bohemians to close the gap at the top to seven points.
This is the first of two games in hand for the Tallaght side. A win in Waterford would all-but end any hopes of the league trophy residing anywhere else but Dublin 24 come the end of the campaign.
The Blues were unfortunate to lose to Bohs on Friday, although goalkeeper Stephen McMullan’s error certainly didn’t help their cause.
One that Stephen McMullan will want to forget...
— League of Ireland (@LeagueofIreland) September 19, 2025
Bohs lead in Dalymount. pic.twitter.com/eeb0SWl7XI
With just a point from their last five matches, it’s worrying times for Waterford with the teams in eighth and the promotion/relegation play-off ninth place just two points away.
Bradley feels Waterford were better than the result showed in Dalymount: "We're going into a tough game. I watched Waterford’s game against Bohs on Friday and I’m sure Waterford will feel they were very unlucky not to win the game, they were excellent. So we know we need to move on and be ready for Waterford tonight.
"It shows the quality they have. We've seen it first hand and we know we need to be ready."
The race for Europe is hotting up as Drogheda United meet Shelbourne in a huge game at Sullivan and Lambe Park.
Most of this series of matches were deferred from earlier in the month due to the FAI Cup quarter-finals, with second-place Bohemians and Derry City in third the only teams in action. That clash finished 4-3 to the Candystripes 10 days ago.
United and Shels are seven points behind the duo and know they can't allow any more sides go up the table.
St Patrick’s Athletic are also level with them on 43 points as they welcome bottom side Cork City to Dublin.
The Saints were disappointed by failing to take maximum points last Friday. In truth it’s a must-win for both sides as the Rebels remains eight points from safety with six matches remaining.
Ger Nash’s side have yet to win away from home in the league. They have certainly shown more heart, as the draw with the Hoops last Friday indicated, yet relegation looks almost inevitable if they come away empty-handed from Inchicore.
The final match of the evening is one of the most important Connacht derbies in some time as Galway United meet Sligo Rovers.
The teams are locked together on 31 points in the bid to avoid the play-off.
United showed some improvement in two visits to Richmond Park in the last fortnight, but they remain without a league win since mid-June.
Sligo have won the last two meetings; the victor tonight could go a long way to ensuring their safety.
Bit O' Red boss John Russell knows there is much on the line in Eamonn Deacy Park against his hometown club: "You have two sides looking to pick up points for the same reasons so it's all set up to be a big atmosphere and a big occasion.
"It'll be a real test for us. We've got to stick our chests out now and be counted as it is so tight at our end of the table, every point counts and everyone is running out of games.
"As a club, we have massive belief in these players to go out and get results and perform for us. We need to make the most of the occasion."
