League Preview: UCD -v- Bohemians

Bohemians travel to UCD’s Belfield Bowl this Friday for a match in which both teams hope to put a stop to recent poor form. Kick-off for the match is 7.45pm.

UCD

UCD’s inactivity during the recent transfer window will have worried fans and it could be what costs them survival. The club currently sit five points ahead of bottom club Athlone Town but UCD have a worse goal difference and have been conceding goals in abundance in recent games. Last week, UCD went to Drogheda United and shipped four goals against a side that are also in this battle to stay in the division. This followed on UCD’s 6-1 drubbing by Derry City the week before.

Speaking on the Drogheda game, Aaron Callaghan said “the result last week was very disappointing,” but the UCD manager was still positive, adding, “However since then we have had the chance to get some good training sessions in and I will be looking for a big reaction from the lads on Friday." Their opponents Bohemians sit on twenty four points, the same as Drogheda United, and are only seven points above UCD.

UCD’s struggle to halt an alarming run of form, which is currently three defeats on the bounce, hasn’t been helped by their injury problems. Conor O’Donnell is the latest name on a rather long list and Aaron Callaghan knows it’s a big loss. The UCD boss told ucdsoccer.com, "It was a big disappointment to lose Conor O'Donnell to injury last week,” before adding that he is confident his replacement Niall Corbet “is ready to step in to replace him after he made the jump back up to our first team set up after a very good season with our Leinster Senior League side.”

Other names on the UCD injury list are long term absentee Dean Clarke, while defenders Tomas Boyle and Mark Langtry will also be missing the game against Bohs. Ian Ryan and Samir Belhout are also doubtful for the game and will face late fitness tests. The good news for UCD is that Hugh Douglas and Colm Crowe return to the side after suspension.

BOHEMIANS

Bohemians had been on a good run of form before last Friday’s game against Derry City. The club was on a four game unbeaten run in the league and had a semi-final against Shamrock Rovers awaiting them in the EA Sports Cup. A week later and Bohemians have lost two games in a row, conceding six goals without reply. Bohs will hope that this is a blip and not a return to the form they had before their undefeated streak, when they went nine games without winning in the league.

Although the 4-0 loss to a rejuvenated and sensational Derry City can be accepted, losing 2-0 to managerless rivals Shamrock Rovers in midweek will be harder to swallow for the Bohs faithful. Owen Heary believes it will be “back to basics” for his side as they get set to face UCD. Heary said “We’ve worked hard this week to try and rectify that. It’s about getting back to doing what we were doing.”

The Bohemians boss is wary of UCD, even though Bohs won 3-0 at the Bowl earlier this season. He said “In fairness to UCD, they are always looking to get on the ball and play out. We know it’s going to be a tough game, it’s a big pitch out there.” The Bohs manager also admitted “They are difficult games because the atmosphere is totally different. That could be a plus for us - if we get our fans behind us and cheering us on.” He then added, “Hopefully the fans get behind us like they have been all year, especially after the two bad defeats we have to try and bounce back together.”

Going into the last series of games, Heary has a full strength squad to choose from for this big clash. Daniel Byrne has recovered from tonsillitis while Kevin Devaney returns after missing the Rovers game due to a knock.

Referee: Kevin O’Regan

MATCH FACTS

Bohemians hold the upper hand on UCD this season, winning two out of three meetings between the sides. At the start of the season, Bohemians beat UCD 3-0, both in the league and in the EA Sports Cup. The other game ended in a 0-0 draw.

UCD have only kept one clean sheet this season, in all competitions, and that was against Bohemians.

In their last ten away matches, Bohemians have obtained fifteen points as they have won three and drew four on the road. They have the third highest amount of goals away from home too, with sixteen scored on their travels.

BETTING

UCD 9/2; Draw 31/10; Bohemians 8/15.

PREDICTION

UCD 1-4 Bohemians

UCD

Injured: Conor O’Donnell, Dean Clarke, Tomas Boyle, Mark Langtry
Doubtful: Ian Ryan, Samir Belhout
Suspended: None

Bohemians

Injured: None
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None