League Preview: Bohemians -v- Longford Town

BOHEMIAN FC

Fresh from beating Longford Town on Tuesday night in the EA Sports Cup, Bohemians should be feeling confident they can repeat that result tonight. The Gypsies have only been beaten by league leaders Dundalk so far this season.

Only Dean Delany will be confident of retaining his place for tonight's game. Derek Prendergast, the only other regular starter to play on Tuesday night, will miss tonight's game due to suspension. Jason Caffrey's start against Longford Town on Tuesday might be a sign that he is in contention for tonight's game. Or will it be Dave Mulcahy returning from injury who takes Prendergast's spot? With Anto Murphy and Roberto Lopes available for selection Bohs will find themselves well covered defensively.

Bohemians manager Keith Long might not be too worried about his central defensive decision. Long believes his team defend well as a team: “defending starts from the front and the work-rate and effort of the players throughout the team has been very good.” 

Long is very happy with the Gypsies' work-rate this season. “Against Drogheda we showed great resilience and defensive organisation after going a man down within 20 minutes. To get the goal at the death and to come away with three points was very pleasing”.

LONGFORD TOWN

Longford Town will put Tuesday's game behind them. Tonight's game at Dalymount will be a very different challenge for Tony Cousins' men. Town will hope to continue their four game unbeaten run in the league against the Gypsies.

Don Cowan was voted March player of the month by the Longford Town's Supporters' Club. Cowan was injured in Town's game against St. Patrick's last week, so might not be able to continue his impressive form.

Town have only managed one clean sheet so far this season against Bray Wanderers. The suspension of Pat Flynn for an incident with Sam Oji of Galway United, will leave them weaker at the back. It will be a big ask for Longford to keep free scoring Bohs at bay.

Referee: Sean Grant

MATCH STATS

Both teams have started well this season, only losing to the top teams in the Airtricity League Premier Division. Both teams have beaten Galway United and Bray Wanderers, and dropped points against Dundalk and Shamrock Rovers.

As Longford Town have spent the last few seasons in the First Division, their most recent league meetings were in 2007. Bohs won the first game at Dalymount that season 5-0 with Glen Crowe scoring a hat-trick. The second game at Flancare Park was a 3-0 home victory. They shared the points in a scoreless draw in the second last game of the season. Had Longford won that night they would have finished level on points with 8^th place U.C.D.

Their most recent meeting on Tuesday night finished 3-1 to Bohs. Both teams fielded weakened teams on the night so it is difficult to say which team will take the points tonight.

BETTING

Home 4/5; Draw 23/10; Away 15/4.

PREDICTION

2-0

Bohemian FC

Injured: None.
Doubtful: Stephen Best.
Suspended: Derek Prendergast.

Longford Town

Injured: Unknown.
Doubtful: Don Cowan.
Suspended: Pat Flynn.