League Preview: Bohemians -v- Longford Town

BOHEMIANS

In a total contrast to last year’s side, who kept four clean sheets and had ten points after their opening five matches, Bohemians have started weakly in defence this season.

They've conceded nine goals in their opening five games, with just one clean sheet, while picking up just four points. Last weekend saw them come away with nothing from Eamonn Deacy Park after a 1-0 defeat to Galway United.

Speaking to bohemianfc.com, Keith Long said he was disappointed “not to have come away with something from the game”, as he believed, “there was very little between the sides.” While admitting that the team hasn’t “clicked” yet, the Bohs boss said that, “a good result against Longford and things can suddenly look a lot better.”

Bohemians will take heart their game against Longford in this season’s EA Sports Cup, where Bohs progressed after a 3-1 win in Dalymount and Long is hoping for a response as he said, “If we continue working hard, our luck will change. The players have been positive and hard-working all week. I expect us to bounce back.”

Bohemians will have Ismahil Akinade and Eoin Wearen back for the game after they both overcame a strain and a virus respectively. There are doubts over striker Mark Quigley and defender Jason Caffrey ahead of the game though.

LONGFORD TOWN

Longford Town also head into this match with just four points on the board, having added only a draw with Bray Wanderers to their opening 2-0 win over Wexford Youths. Their last match was away to Finn Harps, where they lost by the single goal after Ryan Curran tucked home a penalty after a foul by Daniel O’Reilly.

With them facing a defence that is leaking goals, scoring them is a priority, although so far Longford have just hit the back of the net three times in their opening five games. Dave O’Sullivan has gotten off the mark for this season having scored their equalizer in the 1-1 draw with Bray Wanderers, while Kevin O’Connor and Josh O’Hanlon secured Longford the points in the win over Wexford.

Discipline also seems to be a slight issue with eleven yellow cards and two reds handed out in their five league games, with Conor Powell and Kevin O’Connor earning reds in the league along with Pat Flynn in the EA Sports Cup. Suspensions have hurt the squad, with their bench against Harps containing five from last year’s u19 squad.

Midfielder Kevin O’Connor and defender Pat Flynn return to the squad after both sitting out the Harps game through suspension.

Referee: Robert Rogers

MATCH STATS

Bohemians are unbeaten at home in all competitions so far this season, beating Sligo Rovers and drawing with Wexford Youths in the league as well as their win over Longford in the EA Sports Cup.

Games between these two sides were even enough last year. Bohemians won the encounter between the sides in the EA Sports Cup, as Jason Byrne, James O’Brien and Kealan Dillon goals outweighed Ayman Ben Mohamed’s sole effort, before winning the first league game 2-0. Longford won the next league game 2-1, Ben Mohamed with the winner in July, before they drew 1-1 in September.

Ismahil Akiande scored nine of his ten goals last year in the first half while David O’Sullivan hit five of his seven in the first half too.

BETTING

Bohemians 4/7; Draw 29/10; Longford Town 9/2.

PREDICTION

Bohemians 3-1 Longford Town.

Bohemians

Injured: None.

Doubtful: Mark Quigley, Jason Caffrey.

Suspended: None.

Longford Town

Injured: None.

Doubtful: Unknown.

Suspended: None.