League Preview: Bohemians -v- Sligo Rovers

Bohemians will play host to Europa League hopefuls Sligo Rovers at Dalymount Park in a fascinating fixture in the SSE Airtricity Premier Division on Monday evening (kick-off 7.45pm).

 

BOHEMIANS

Bohemians face the daunting task of keeping a resurgent Sligo Rovers at bay in the Monday night football clash at Dalymount Park in the SSE Airtricity Premier Division. The Gypsies will be encouraged by their battling display against title-chasing Cork City at Turner’s Cross, holding out for a valuable away point (0-0) and the bonus of a clean sheet last Friday evening.

 

Bohs have been struggling to find consistency since the end of the mid-season break and have won just two of their last six league games with victories over Finn Harps at home (2-0) and a plucky win away to Longford Town (0-1), drawing two and losing two.

 

The Gypsies boss Keith Long is hoping that his side will have the capabilities to replicate the performance level they displayed in the Rebel County last time out and was understandably pleased to see his side avoid defeat for the second successive game. The Gypsies will be aiming to build upon that positive result and continue their good recent form to move up the table and make a push towards European qualification.

 

 



SLIGO ROVERS

Sligo Rovers will make the long and difficult journey to the capital to lock horns with Bohemians with ambitions to leapfrog Shamrock Rovers into fourth place in the SSE Airtricity Premier Division by taking maximum points back to the North West. The Bit O’ Red have been in scintillating form lately and continued their winning habit with a hard fought 3-2 victory against Shamrock Rovers on Friday night with Rafael Cretaro’s goal in the 77th minute proving to be the decisive strike.

 

Sligo Rovers go into this game on a superb run having not lost a match since the resumption after the mid-season hiatus with notable scalps against Cork City at Turner’s Cross (1-2) and St. Patrick’s Athletic at the Showgrounds (1-0) and the Bit O’Red are only one of two sides to inflict a defeat on all-conquering First Division leaders Limerick FC (2-1) albeit in a friendly. The impressive run of form has put the Connaught side firmly in contention for a place in European place.

 

Sligo Rovers boss Dave Robertson is eager for the games to come quickly with his side bidding to make it 12 points in the last 11 days having won three on the trot. The Bit O’Red boss Robertson told www.sligorovers.com, “We are happy to keep playing at the moment with the form that we are on. We spoke about the disruption we had when we returned from the break where we had fixtures followed by a two week break. But we are right back in the thick of things now and we have built momentum. We will be aiming to take the confidence and performance levels from that into what will be a tough game for us tomorrow.”



 

Robertson was understandably happy with the grit and determined display his side showed coming from a goal down against Shamrock Rovers, speaking to www.sligorovers.com, Robertson said, “I am really pleased with the character that we showed on Friday night. It showed the confidence in each other that we have in the team. But we have to keep working hard so that we do score the first goal in future games as that will always be key.”

 

Sligo have only one injury concern with Regan Donelan remaining unavailable due to a hamstring problem but otherwise will have a fully fit squad from which to select from and has no suspensions.

 

Referee: Anthony Buttimer

 

 

MATCH FACTS

Bohemians are currently in 8th position in the SSE Airtricity Premier Division on 26 points with 7 wins, 5 draws and 10 defeats in their 22 league games so far.

 

Sligo Rovers are in 5th place in the SSE Airtricity Premier Division on 34 points with 9 wins, 7 draws and 6 defeats in their 22 league matches to date.

 

Bohemians and Sligo Rovers have met on two previous occasions this season with nothing to separate the teams with Bohs coming out winners at Dalymount Park (1-0) back in March and Sligo Rovers gaining revenge in the corresponding fixture with a 1-0 win at the Showgrounds in May.

 

Bohemians and Sligo Rovers overall head to head record since 1994 has seen the teams meet 58 times with 30 of those at Dalymount Park. Sligo Rovers have 24 wins to Bohemians 19 with 15 ending in a draw. At Dalymount Park, Bohemians have 12 wins to the Bit O’Red’s 11 with 7 finishing with a share of the spoils

 

 

BETTING

Bohemians 6/4 Draw 21/10 Sligo Rovers 7/4

 

PREDICTION

Bohemians 1-2 Sligo Rovers

 

 

Bohemians

Injuries: Unknown.

Doubtful: Unknown.

Suspended: None.

 

Sligo Rovers

Injured: Regan Donelan.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None. 

    About Mark Quinlan

    View Full Profile