SOCCER: AIRTRICITY LEAGUE:WITH THE top two both in action against sides they would hope to beat, Derry and Sligo lock horns in the Brandywell this evening with both sides anxious not to be left a little behind in what has, up until now at least, been a remarkably open title race.

Sligo Rovers have beaten Stephen Kenny’s side twice already in the league this year and City can ill afford to drop another three points to Paul Cook’s team.

The hosts won’t be helped, though, by the loss of Barry Molloy to an ankle ligament injury while they’ll be hit too by the return for the visitors of Gavin Peers and, possibly, the inclusion of Joseph Ndo who has yet to make a serious impact for the cup holders this season.

Immediately above them in the table, St Patrick’s Athletic head for Galway with much the same defensive crisis they been battling for the last few weeks, although Brian Shorthall and Dave Mulcahy both have a chance of starting which would help Pete Mahon’s cause considerably.

The hosts have a string of problems again and Seán Connor must be starting to feel his side’s luck is never going to turn given that recent signing Jonathan Keane is now laid up with a knee injury picked up on his debut in the game against Bray.

Shamrock Rovers have only a slight doubt about Ken Oman to worry about as they prepare to face an injury ravaged Dundalk and Ian Foster must hope that in the absence of so many others, Colin Hawkins and Dean Bennett might pass fitness tests.