League Preview: Bohemians -v- Drogheda United

BOHEMIANS

Bohemians will be looking to return to winning ways when they host Drogheda United in the Premier Division at Dalymount Park on Monday night (kick-off 7.45pm).

Friday night’s loss in the Northside Derby to Shelbourne will have stung Declan Devine’s men after a bright start to the season which saw them win their opening two games.

Shelbourne’s Kian Leavy struck the winning goal in the 77^th minute, a little over ten minutes after the Gypsies had been educed to ten men following Dylan Connolly’s dismissal by referee Arnold Hunter.

“We were gutted on Friday night. It is not in my DNA or in the DNA of my players that we are willing to lose games, especially a Dublin derby,” Bohs’ manager Declan Devine said, speaking to the club’s website.

“We have to take that defeat on the chin – there is no point feeling sorry for ourselves.

“We are happy that we have another game coming so quickly as I feel we have a strong squad but we certainly will not be underestimating Drogheda.

“Against Shelbourne, we went down to 10 men having been on top without having enough penetration. We had a lot of the ball without creating enough clear-cut chances. That is something we have to learn from – we have to be creating more chances in all our games.

“But I felt that even when we went down to 10 men that we were the better team but we have to learn that when we are on top, that our attack-minded players ask more questions of the opposition in the final third.”

It’s a quick turnaround for the teams, having only played on Friday night but Devine is hoping the Dalymount atmosphere is strong on Monday night.

“We have won our one home game already and we want to build on that. We want our home form to be strong.

“We need our supporters really behind us in this game. I would call out to them – and I understand that it can be really expensive and a hard ask to attend three games in a week – but if we have our supporters in the ground early and behind us again on Monday it will really give the team a big lift.

“We need our people behind us. We need that bond that we had at the Dundalk game – that extra bit of noise and support that helps to get you over the line.

“Drogheda are coming into Dalymount having not lost a game in three, so it is important that we are fully focused for what will be a battle on Monday night.”

In team news – the Gypsies will have one absentee for Drogheda’s visit with Dylan Connolly missing out due to suspension. The club had appealed his red card but failed to have it overturned on Saturday.

DROGHEDA UNITED

United come into this fixture buoyant after an excellent win at home against Sligo Rovers.

Adam Foley’s 59^th minute strike was enough to give the Boynesiders an important three points, and they will be looking to continue what has been a good start to the Premier Division this season.

As one of the teams tipped to struggle this year, they have yet to show it with United sitting in third place after three games.

The result against Sligo will be a huge boost to Kevin Doherty’s men as their first win of the season, but that follows impressive draws in their opening games against Shelbourne and, current Premier Division champions, Shamrock Rovers.

The quick turnaround to face Bohemians at Dalymount Park will probably be toughest on the Boynesiders but they will fancy their chances given the results they have secured so far this season.

United will have just one absentee as Ben Curtis misses out due to injury for Monday night’s game.

Referee: Ray Matthews

MATCH STATS

Drogheda United are unbeaten coming into Monday night’s game having drawn with Shelbourne and Shamrock Rovers and beaten Sligo Rovers last Friday night.

There was nothing to separate the teams last season as they drew 1-1 on two occasions with both earning away wins in the two remaining games, they played against one another last season.

PREDICTION

Bohemians 2–1 Drogheda United

Bohemians

Injured: None.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: Dylan Connolly.

Drogheda United

Injured: Ben Curtis.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.