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

BOHEMIANS

A Dublin Derby which will have serious ramifications for the SSE Airtricity Premier Division title race and European qualification as 2^nd placed Bohemians play host to 4^th placed St. Patrick’s Athletic today (kick-off 2pm).

Keith Long’s team have had a perfect start to the resumption of 2020 league season with his side winning all three of their games. The most recent league victory was a hard fought 1-0 win over Finn Harps at Finn Park.

This run has put them firmly in the title race and with league leaders Shamrock Rovers only managing a draw again last night they are five points behind them with today’s game in hand.

Keith Long speaking before the game acknowledged the high level of performance he expects from his team today.

“St. Pat’s have quality within their squad with a good mix of experience and talented young players so we hope we can continue to make progress in every single game by challenging ourselves to reach a level of performance and hopefully picking up points.”

Considering their excellent recent league form and their position in the table, the pressure is on Bohs to get a result which could set up a momentous top of the table clash with Shamrock Rovers in early September.

Long will be without Cristian Magerusan, Paddy Kirk and Ross Tierney as they all continue to recover from injury.

ST. PATRICK’S ATHLETIC

Stephen O’Donnell brings his team to Dalymount Park on the back of a scoreless draw with the current league leaders, Shamrock Rovers.

Rovers had not dropped any points prior to their encounter with Pats but the Saints despite playing most of the second half with ten men put in a dogged display to earn the point.

Stephen O’Donnell spoke about how pleased he was with this result when speaking to the club’s media team ahead of Saturday’s game.

"Delighted with the attitude and application of the boys after going down to 10 men so early in the second half. We had a good shape about us and they really dug in and defended their box very well and restricted Shamrock Rovers for the whole of the second half to minimal chances. We had to deal with a defend a few crosses into the box which you would expect, but the boys dealt with that brilliantly and showed a great desire to keep a clean sheet.”

O’Donnell is expecting another tough game today and has been impressed with Bohemians since the league re-start.

"It's another Dublin derby and it's another game you want to be involved in as a player. Bohemians will be delighted with their form post the COVID break. They will be very happy with where they are at the minute, and they are in a rich vein of form right now. We have to be ready for what will be a very tough encounter, but it's one we have prepared well for and it's one we are looking forward to."

The Saints have no injury worries for today’s game but they will be without Shane Griffin as he serves a one match suspension for after his red card last week against Shamrock Rovers.

Referee: Derek Tomney

MATCH STATS

The last league meeting between the teams was a scoreless draw at Richmond Park which will only be memorable to Bohemian fans because it confirmed their European spot for this season.

Their four meetings last season saw Bohemians win twice and the remaining two fixtures ending in draws.

Bohemians have won their last three meetings with St. Patrick’s Athletic in the league at Dalymount Park with the Saints last victory at Dalymount coming in March 2018. 

BETTING

Bohemians 13/10; Draw 15/8; St. Patrick’s Athletic 11/5.

PREDICTION

Bohemians 1- 1 St. Patrick’s Athletic

Bohemians

Injured: Cristian Magerusan (knee), Paddy Kirk (ankle), Ross Tierney (ankle).

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

St. Patrick’s Athletic

Injured: None.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: Shane Griffin.