League Preview: St Patrick's Athletic -v- Bohemians

ST PATRICK’S ATHLETIC

St Pats’ welcome Bohemians to Richmond Park on Monday evening after they collected their first victory of the season against Longford Town at the City Calling Stadium on Friday evening thanks to a second-half strike from Christy Fagan - the Saints man’s second goal in as many games.

The victory saw the Saints making amends for their opening day defeat against Galway United and speaking ahead of tomorrow’s game manager Liam Buckley told stpats.com he expected a tough game against Longford and that he saw improvements from the home defeat suffered on the opening night of the season.

“Friday was a good win for us against Longford” Buckley explained. “We expected a tough game against them and that is what it proved to be. There were a lot of improvements on our first game of the season against Galway, but we still have a lot to work on so the hard work will continue,”

With Monday’s clash representing the first Dublin derby of the season, Buckley is expecting a hard battle and he is hoping a noisy home crowd will make the difference between the two sides.

“Keith Long has added to his squad which performed so well last season, so again, it’ll be a difficult match. It’s our first Dublin derby of the season so a good crowd in Inchicore will be there. 

“Both teams are well supported so we’ll be looking for our own crowd to be vocal and get behind the team. That ‘Richmond Roar’ can make a big difference in big games like this so hopefully we can put in a good performance and get a result.” 

Kick-off at Richmond Park is 7:45pm

BOHEMIANS

Bohs head into Monday’s game after bouncing back from an opening night defeat against Cork by overcoming Sligo Rovers at Dalymount Park on Friday evening. An early strike from Curtis Byrne was enough to give the host all three points and manager Keith Long was delighted to see his recent recruit from Dundalk mark his home debut with a goal.

"It was a great goal by Kurtis” Long told Bohemianfc.com. “He took it early and caught the keeper out, so we're really pleased that he scored on his competitive home debut. It was a real bit of brilliance in a game that probably lacked quality throughout.”

Ahead of Monday’s game Long has a full strength side to choose from after the return of Roberto Lopes from suspension and the Gypsies gaffer said his side plan to “take the game to St Pat's”. While he is also delighted to have players pushing for places within the starting eleven.

"It's great to have competition for places. A selection headache is not a bad complaint to have.”

With Monday’s clashing being the third game in eleven days for Bohs, Long is hoping that his side can now push on and begin to build momentum for the season ahead.

"There have been changes at St Pat's with plenty of new faces. They're fancied to be up there at the end of the season. But we can go to Richmond with confidence after Friday's result, knowing we can improve on that as well.

“Without dominating possession against Sligo, we created enough chances to increase our lead. I'm confident there are goals in this side."

Referee: Padraigh Sutton

MATCH FACTS

Christy Fagan has scored in consecutive league games in a row for the first time since the end of the 2014 season when the Saints forward scored in three consecutive games against Bohemians, Athlone Town and Sligo Rovers.

In the side’s last six league meetings. St Pats have been victorious on four times, Bohs winning once, while the sides drawing 1-1 in the other meeting.

From 33 league games, both St Pats and Bohs managed to keep just twelve clean sheets a piece, conceding 34 and 42 goals respectively.

BETTING

St Patrick’s Athletic 21/20; Draw 11/5; Bohemians 13/5.

PREDICTION

St Patrick’s Athletic 1-2 Bohemians

St Patrick's Athletic

Injured: Jamie McGrath, Jack Bayly, Conor O’Malley, Lee Desmond

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

Bohemians FC

Injured: None.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.