League Preview: Shamrock Rovers -v- Bohemians
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SHAMROCK ROVERS
Shamrock Rovers will go into Friday night's Dublin Derby in search of a win that would see them maintain their 100 per cent record over cross-city rivals Bohemians this season whilst keeping the pressure on SSE Airtricity League Premier Division leaders Dundalk.
Both sides have enjoyed rather contrasting fortunes this season with Rovers currently sitting behind second placed Cork City on goal difference whilst Bohs lie at the other end of the table in tenth position just one place above the promotion/relegation play-off spot.
Despite both teams being placed at opposite ends of the table, Hoops boss Trevor Croly insists the form book goes out the window when it comes to a Rovers-Bohs derby.
“We are looking forward to the game on Friday. Rovers and Bohemians games are always tight encounters and tend to be close games. And even though Bohemians have only won two games this season, and haven’t won in seven games, they have some very good players who have a lot of experience in this league, and have won titles. But it’s always different when it’s Rovers and Bohs, and I expect that to be no different tomorrow night.”
Croly will have to plan without the defensive of duo of Conor Kenna and Sean Heaney, both of whom remain sidelined with prolonged hamstring injuries whilst a one match suspension incurred by an accumulation of four yellow cards means Robert Bayly misses out on the chance to face his former club.
BOHEMIANS
Bohemians will cross the River Liffey on Friday without a win in their last seven league encounters.
Bohs were unlucky to come away from United Park last week with a 1-0 defeat to Drogheda that currently sees them lie just one point above second from bottom Limerick.
One pre-match talking point for the travelling Dalymount Park faithful will be the fact that the suspension of Dinny Corcoran leaves the evergreen Jason Byrne as the only out and out striker available to Bohs manager Owen Heary for Friday's grudge encounter.
Speaking ahead of Friday's trip to Tallaght, Heary stressed the need for his side to spread the responsibility for putting the ball in the net more evenly rather than placing goalscoring responsibilities solely on Byrne: “Jason [Byrne] was unlucky with a couple last week but we cannot rely only on him. We need someone to help him turn chances into goals.”
Roberto Lopes returns to the fold for the Gypsies after serving a recent suspension, however Jack Memery is rendered unavailable by college exams whilst a hamstring injury means Derek Pender will undergo a late fitness test. The past week has also seen Phillip McCabe, Darragh Reynor and Lee Murphy depart Dalymount Park with the latter leaving the Phibsboro club for personal reasons.
Referee: Padraig Sutton (Clare)
MATCH STATS
The last time Rovers registered a home league win over their northside rivals was back in March 2012 when second-half goals from Gary Twigg and Billy Dennehy gave the Hoops a 2-0 derby victory.
The first league fixture between these two great rivals took place on the 14th of October 1922. Although a home fixture for Rovers, this game was moved from Milltown to Dalymount Park. It was Rovers who emerged victorious from this historic occasion courtesy of goals from Bob Fullam and John 'Kruger' Fagan.
Bohs are without a win in their last seven league games. The last time the Gypsies picked up three points from a league game was back in early April when they defeated Athlone Town 3-1 at Lissywollen.
BETTING
Shamrock Rovers 2/5; draw 16/5; Bohemians 13/2
PREDICTION
A hard fought 1-0 victory for the Hoops
Shamrock Rovers
Injured: Conor Kenna (hamstring), Sean Heaney (hamstring)
Suspended: Robert Bayly
Bohemians
Doubtful: Derek Pender (hamstring)
Suspended: Dinny Corcoran
Absent: Jack Memery (exams)
