League Preview: Bohemians -v- Dundalk

BOHEMIANS

Bohemians will be looking to reduce the distance between themselves and fourth place in the Premier Division when they host Dundalk at Dalymount Park on Friday night (kick-off 7.45pm).

The Gypsies are just four points behind St Patrick’s Athletic as they look to maneuver themselves into a position to potentially partake in European football next season.

Ahead of Keith Long’s men is a tough test against title challenging Dundalk who are unbeaten in their last three games.

Bohs suffered a significant setback on Sunday afternoon when Sligo Rovers ran out 2-1 winners at the Showgrounds.

John O’Sullivan had put the Dublin side ahead in the 54^th minute but a quickfire double from Max Mata later in the second period meant Bohs travelled back to Dublin without the points.

Sligo and the Saints are currently standing in Bohemians’ way as they seek to claim fourth place in the Premier Division, neither are in action on Friday nigh due to European competition on Thursday night so the Gypsies have a chance to put the pressure on with a win over the Lilywhites.

They haven’t managed to beat Stephen O’Donnell’s side so far this season but in the first of their two meetings up to this point they managed to claim a hard fought point in a 2-2 draw at Dalymount Park on the first night of the season.

Dundalk ran out 3-1 winners at Oriel Park in May and Keith Long’s men will certainly have a job on their hands if they want to nick a win on Friday.

DUNDALK

The Lilywhites will have one eye on the Brandywell tomorrow night when they face Bohemians.

Derry City play host to Premier Division leaders Shamrock Rovers at the same time, a draw between the two would help Dundalk in their title challenge but also keep Derry behind them in third place.

Both sides have a game at hand over Dundalk so a win is a must for Stephen O’Donnell’s side in order to keep the pressure on.

“It’s a little bit tricky to get a handle on what their starting XI will be, especially after them losing to Sligo last week, but we’ll try and work it out as best we can and then we’ll look after ourselves,” manager Stephen O’Donnell said, speaking to the club’s media team.

“The players are well aware of the individuals that have come in. A lot of them would have been watching the game last Sunday and will be well aware of them but we’ll be more focused on ourselves and how we go about things.

“They have lots of good offensive players. Bohs are always a team that is capable of beating anyone. With their ability, they feel like they can go toe-to-toe with anyone.”

Dundalk’s form has been inconsistent of late and that will also be on their minds tomorrow night as they haven’t managed to put together back-to-back wins since their five game streak in May and June.

In their last game they had to settle for a 1-1 draw, and they only just managed to claim that point with Patrick Hoban scoring deep in injury time to cancel out James Akintunde’s 12^th minute strike for Derry.

Referee: Adriano Reale

MATCH STATS

The Lilywhites are unbeaten in three games

Dundalk haven’t won an away game since Friday, 23 May when the ran out 1-0 winners over Finn Harps in Ballybofey.

Bohemians have a pretty good record against Dundalk in recent years with the Lilywhites last Premier Division victory in Phibsborough coming during the 2019 season – although Dundalk won an FAI Cup game there in 2020.

PREDICTION

Bohemians 1–2 Dundalk

Bohemians

Injured: None.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

Dundalk

Injured: None.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.