League Preview: Bohemians -v- Shamrock Rovers

James Talbot comes to punch clear in Bohs' 2-1 FAI Cup win over Shamrock Rovers in August

James Talbot comes to punch clear in Bohs' 2-1 FAI Cup win over Shamrock Rovers in August Credit: Eddie Lennon (ETPhotos)

League Preview: Bohemians -v- Shamrock Rovers

BOHEMIANS

Bohemians’ clash with Shamrock Rovers will be their last home game of the season and their third last game in total and they face into it knowing that they still have two avenues open for them to secure European football in 2022.

The FAI Cup Final against St. Patrick’s Athletic will be very much a one-off affair so they will be keen to keep the fourth place in the league avenue open and will be going all out to secure the three points when they face Rovers on Friday night.

They are currently on 48 points in the table, locked into joint fourth place alongside Derry City and Dundalk, although with a much healthier goal difference of plus 12.

Their opponents in their last two league games, Shamrock Rovers and Sligo Rovers, have both secured European football for 2022 so in theory neither will have much to play for when they take on Keith Long’s side over the next two weekends. 

Whatever about the motivation of Sligo Rovers, a Dublin derby between Bohs and Shamrock Rovers is always a hotly contested encounter and Friday night’s game has had extra spice added by virtue of the host club’s decision not to allow any Rovers fans to attend the game.

Long’s side come into the derby on the back of a good 2-1 win at home to Drogheda United last Sunday thanks to two goals from Ross Tierney in the 48th and 76th minute.

The destiny of that fourth place is now very much in their own hands, win both remaining matches and its theirs, regardless of how Derry City and Dundalk fare in their last two matches.

SHAMROCK ROVERS 



Shamrock Rovers wrapped up the League title on Oct 29th with a convincing 3-0 home win against Finn Harps so other than maximising their points total they have nothing left to play for at this stage of the season.

They will be presented with their league trophy when they face Drogheda United at home on Nov 19th in what should be another sell out crowd at the Tallaght Stadium.

Despite having the title secured they still put in a very professional performance against Waterford United in their last outing, coming from a goal down to win 3-1 - Sean Hoare and Danny Mandroiu (2) getting the goals.

They are also unlikely to lie down in front of Bohemians in this derby match and will be anxious to repeat their performance against the same opposition when they met recently in Tallaght on Oct 18th. On that occasion they were also 1-0 down and reduced to ten men when Roberto Lopes was red carded. However a Richie Towell goal in the 69th minute drew them level and in fact they finished the game the stronger of the two sides.

Referencing the earlier 1-0 defeat against Bohemians in Dalymount back in June, Stephen Bradley said “In that first game in Dalymount, I didn’t think that there was too much wrong with that. We missed quite a few chances early on in that game. If we’d taken them, we would have been quite comfortable. We will look to go and put on a performance, win the game, and finish the season strongly.”

When asked about the impact on his players of the absence of Rovers fans from the game on Friday night, Bradley added “I don’t think it will bother them. They have played enough big games and in front of enough big crowds over the years, we know that none of our fans will be there, but we know what to expect and don’t think that it will make much difference.”



Referee: Paul McLoughlin

MATCH STATS

Bohemians were not beaten by Rovers in any of their three clashes this year, two of which were played at Dalymount Park, certainly a good omen from their perspective.

Bohs won 1-0 in June and 2-1 in August in the FAI Cup, both games at home, while the recent Tallaght derby finished on a 1-1 score line with a 2-1 win for Rovers in their first league encounter of 2021 back in April.

PREDICTION

Bohemians 2-1 Shamrock Rovers

BETTING

Bohemians 21/10; Draw 11/5; Shamrock Rovers 23/20

Bohemians

Injured: None

Doubtful: Georgie Kelly, Stephen Mallon

Suspended: None

Shamrock Rovers

Injured: Sean Kavanagh

Doubtful: Barry Cotter

Suspended: None

International Duty: Roberto Lopes

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