Ruaidhri Higgins claims Shamrock Rovers already have one hand on the title but insists Derry City will keep the heat on the Hoops.
The Candystripes will move back within a point of Rovers if they can beat Sligo Rovers at the Ryan McBride Brandywell tonight.
And then on Sunday evening, they host Shamrock Rovers in the standout tie of the FAI Cup quarter-finals.
Derry started the season on fire, only to lose their way and their grip on top spot as Rovers reeled them in and kicked clear.
But Higgins is overseeing a revival of their fortunes and Derry go into tonight’s clash with Sligo Rovers unbeaten in their last nine games.
They have won their last four without conceding and intend hanging tough in the title race, even though they will have played two games more than Rovers by tonight.
Higgins said: “We need to capitalise on the form we’re in and try to pick up another three points against a Sligo team who have shown a bit of form recently.
“We'll try to win every game that we play. Listen, Shamrock Rovers, they’ve one hand on it I would say. Four points with a game in hand.
“St Pat’s and Dundalk are around us as well. It would be naive to think of anything past our next game.”
Higgins was at Tallaght Stadium on Sunday night to spy on the Hoops as they swatted bottom side Finn Harps aside in a 5-1 rout.
But he's hoping to catch them cold this week, as Rovers’ focus is elsewhere for now ahead of Thursday’s group stage clash with Gent in Belgium.
And Michael Duffy’s return to fitness and form couldn’t be more timely with regards to that mission, following his stunning winner against Bohemians on Friday.
One of the top players in the country, Duff’s big return home to Derry from Dundalk was put on hold after he broke his leg early in the season.
But having stepped up his return to play, he put his name back in lights on Friday with that stunner from distance.
“We weren’t at our very best by any stretch but it was a win based on hard work and guts and a moment of magic,” said Higgins.
“He’s got two goals in his last two games. He’s covering serious distances as well in matches which would suggest he’s very fit.
“But to get him at his very, very best, there’s not many games left in the season.
“If he keeps up the form he’s in until the end of the season we’ll be happy but with a good pre-season under his belt we’ll see him back at his very best next season.”
Ciaron Coll misses out tonight but should still make a quick enough return to the Candystripes team.
There were concerns for his well being against Bohs after he was knocked out when landing awkwardly early in the game.
Higgins said: “All the tests came back fine. He’s just a bit sore but it won’t be long at all.
“At the time it was very concerning and straight after the game I was shown it back and it looked horrendous.
“I couldn’t get him on my phone. It was a slight concern but he came around and he’s fine, he’s back home.
“I think it’s just a bad, bad bang and his body’s sore but all the tests and scans came back to say that he’s ok.”
