League Preview: Dundalk -v- Bohemians

DUNDALK

Dundalk know that three points against Bohemians at Oriel Park on Sunday evening will seal their third consecutive SSE Airtricity League Premier Division title with two games to spare.

The Lilywhites are again without their captain and former Bohemians midfielder Stephen O'Donnell, who failed a late fitness test before Thursday’s narrow Europa League defeat to Zenit St Petersburg at Tallaght Stadium.

John Mountney played the last ten minutes of that match but is a doubt for the visit of Bohs with a back problem. He replaced Robbie Benson, who scored his third goal in Europe and the opener to stun the star-studded Russian outfit before bravely going down 2-1 to goals from Robert Mak and Brazilian international Giuliano.

Benson, who’s enjoyed a truly remarkable first season with Dundalk, said, “Thursday was disappointing especially after going 1-0 up. I think our recent schedule took its toll when it came to the last 20 minutes. They were able to up it for that period and we were tired but I thought we had done very well at that point. We know that we can compete at this level and we played well but we didn’t get anything from the game and that’s football.

“We have a good squad and we are looking forward to Sunday. The league is our priority. This is a good opportunity for us to close it out and win it in front of our own fans but we know that it will be a tough match at home to Bohemians. They are a good side but hopefully we can get a great turnout at Oriel and get over the line.”

BOHEMIANS

Bohemians travel up the M1 to Oriel Park hoping to postpone Dundalk’s almost inevitable title-winning party for another couple of days at least.

Stephen Kenny will be taking nothing for granted however as Bohs emerged victorious in their previous visit to the Louth venue and were indeed the only team to win at Oriel Park in 2015. Ismahil Akinade produced a man of the match display on that particular evening but he’s been a long-term absentee for The Gypsies, having not kicked a ball in over two months.

Dylan Hayes and Ian Morris are also unavailable to manager Keith Long, who is determined to spoil any celebrations.

Bohs have endured a largely uninspiring campaign this time around, failing to build on last season’s impressive fifth place finish and even though they appear to be playing the season out, Long’s side could still mathematically finish anywhere between fifth again and ninth in the Premier Division table with two matches to play.

Referee: Neil Doyle (Dublin)

MATCH FACTS

A victory for Dundalk will see them become the fourth ever side to win three League of Ireland titles in a row. The other three teams to have achieved this feat are Cork United (1943), Waterford (1970) and Shamrock Rovers (1986).

This match will be the 320th competitive meeting between Dundalk and Bohemians. Their first encounter was a 1-1 draw at the old Athletic Grounds in Dundalk just over 90 years ago.

Bohemians have four ex-Dundalk players currently in their ranks – Kurtis Byrne, Jake Kelly, Mark Quigley and Derek Pender, who once had a loan spell at Oriel Park, making nine appearances for the club back in 2004.

BETTING

Dundalk 1/4; Draw 4/1; Bohemians 9/1

PREDICTION

Dundalk 2-0 Bohemians

Dundalk

Injured: Stephen O’Donnell (hamstring).

Doubtful: John Mountney (back).

Suspended: None.

Bohemians

Injured: Ismahil Akinade, Dylan Hayes, Ian Morris.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.