League Preview: Bohemians -v- Shelbourne

BOHEMIANS

Keith Long’s team are looking to return to winning ways after a defeat at Derry last Friday means they remain on 6 points which is the same as Shelbourne who visit Dalymount tonight.

The Derry game was a tight affair with Stephen Mallon scoring a wonder goal for Derry in the 68^th minute and Walter Figueria securing the 3 points in injury time with a second goal.

Bohs felt they had taken the lead 9 minutes into the second half when Keith Ward lobbed the Ball over Derry keeper, Peter Cherrie. However, Danny Lupano cleared the ball off the goal-line despite Ward being adamant that the ball had crossed the line.

This defeat is Bohemians second in four matches and Keith Long acknowledged his displeasure with last Friday’s defeat when speaking to the clubs media team.

“Our last game was a disappointing one. We did not play to our potential and while there was little between the teams, we didn’t do enough to stress the opposition as much as we would have liked and didn’t work their goalkeeper enough throughout the game.

“We lacked the understanding and quality needed to break a team like Derry down.

“We did have some chances, JJ Lunney had an effort narrowly wide in the first half and Keith Ward’s effort – at a time in the game when we were starting to exert pressure on the opposition – was over the line.

“The referee, Derek Tonmey, who was in a great position thought otherwise and we have to respect his decision.

“Our vantage point at the side wasn’t ideal but a large portion of the defender’s leg was over the line when he cleared the ball, suggesting that the ball did in fact cross the line.

“If we had got ahead, it’s a different game for us but we lacked cohesion and the understanding to break our opponents down afterwards.”

Long is hopeful that his players will display the correct attitude tonight despite last week’s disappointment.

“Our opposition will not make it easy for us. We should embrace this because it makes us better. We need to fight every day and in every game and for every second.

“If we have the right mind-set of courage and a willingness to learn, we can achieve great things.”

The Gypsies will again be without James Talbot and Dinny Corcoran as they recover from their respective injuries while James Finnerty remains a doubt with a calf injury.

SHELBOURNE

Shelbourne have not far to travel for their derby clash with the Northside neighbours at Dalymount Park.

Shelbourne manager Ian Morris spoke to the club’s media team about the importance of the Reds supporters for the team tonight.

“Hopefully in Dalyer we can bring the noise and be really intimidating and get behind the lads.”

Morris brings a positive group of players into this Dublin Derby after last week’s victory over St. Patrick’s Athletic which was played in front of an impressive crowd of 3,054 in Tolka Park.

“The lads have trained really well with a few bodies back for selection so the mood is really good.

“The form we’ve shown and how solid we’ve been has been really pleasing so hopefully we can take that into tomorrow’s game”.

Shelbourne have won two of their three league games so far this season and have a chance tonight to make a real statement for the season ahead as they currently sit in 4^th position, one place behind Bohemians and with a game in hand.

Daniel Byrne will be out for tonight’s games while Shels goalscorer against St. Pat’s, Jaze Kabia will face a late fitness test.

Referee: Paul McLaughlin 

MATCH STATS

The sides met twice in the 2019 campaign. Bohemians won the first meeting in the Leinster Senior Cup at Tolka Park by four goals to one.

The second time the sides met was a dramatic FAI Cup tie, with Bohs coming from two goals down to win the game in injury time by 3 goals to 2.

The last Premier Division meeting between the sides took place in 2013 and ended in a 3-0 victory for Bohemians.

BETTING

Bohemians 1/2; Draw 11/4; Shelbourne 5/1.

PREDICTION

Bohemians 2 - 0 Shelbourne

Bohemians

Injured: James Talbot, Dinny Corcoran.

Doubtful: James Finnerty.

Suspended: None.

Shelbourne

Injured: Daniel Byrne.

Doubtful: Jaze Kabia.

Suspended: None.