League Preview: Bohemians -v- St Patrick’s Athletic

Action from the Saints' 3-1 win in Dalymount last August

Action from the Saints' 3-1 win in Dalymount last August Credit: Eddie Lennon (ETPhotos)

 

Bohemians

The Gypsies will look to further cement their title credentials season by looking to defeat Dublin rivals St. Patrick’s Athletic in Dalymount Park on Friday night (kick Off 7.45pm).

After a disappointing Dublin Derby loss at home on Good Friday, Bohs bounced back with an impressive win away Monday night in the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium. A Dean Williams penalty midway through the second half saw them defeat Derry City 1-0.

Bohs are the top of the table having accumulated 21 points from the first round of fixtures in the Premier Division. They will be looking to replicate their performance against Pats in Richmond Park last month when goals from Jonathan Afolabi and Dean Williams were enough in a comfortable 2-0 win for the Northsiders.

The Gypsies will be looking to the Player of the Month for March Ali Coote to provide the spark and continue his fantastic form he has shown this season. He has two goals and four assists to his name so far this campaign but is a slight doubt for the match.

Speaking to LOI.TV after the win against Derry City on Easter Monday, Bohemians manager Declan Devine stated: “I’m ecstatic with the result and the performance. Out of the opening nine games, that was five away trips which is very difficult, and they’ve won seven out of nine games”.

Devine singled out James Talbot for praise saying: “Our goalkeeper was magnificent as well, made a couple great saves towards the end which you would expect coming away from home”.

On the drive home from Derry, the Bohs squad and supporters bumped into each other and Devine spoke about the encounter on bohemiansfc.com.

“We actually met a bus load at a petrol station in Monaghan on the way home,” said Devine. “It was incredibly pleasing for me to see the togetherness of the players and fans, and them all relating with each other, singing together, and just enjoying the moment. It was special.”



Looking ahead to Friday’s game, Devine said: “St Pat’s are on a good run of form. Their results have been very positive – they have won three on the spin.

“They are a good team. They were a good team when we played them the last time. They have a really good squad of players.

St. Patrick’s Athletic

Tim Clancy will be saying to his side ‘more of the same please’ as the Saints arrive in Dalymount Park in good form. They have won their last three games after a disastrous run that saw them lose to Dundalk, Sligo Rovers and Bohemians.

Ten goals scored and two clean sheets in the last three games has seen the Saints rise to fourth in Premier Division.

The latest victory was on Easter Monday, defeating Drogheda United 3-1at Weavers Park with a brace from Chris Forrester and a late Eoin Doyle goal sealing the win for the visitors.



Speaking to stpatsfc.com ahead of Friday night’s game, Tim Clancy said: “Our last few performances have been really pleasing and we'll be aiming to take that into the game tomorrow night”.

Talking about the opposition, Clancy complimented Declan Devine and the job he has done so far at the Gypsies.

“Declan Devine has had a brilliant start to his time as Bohemians manager. They've had a massive turnover in players too so to get them purring so early in the season is really good. They've got lots of very good players and lots of energy in their team.

“They've had seven wins so far so we'll be aiming to go to Dalymount on Friday and stop the run that they are on and continue our good one".

On the injury front, the win on Monday came at a cost with Jake Mulraney and captain Joe Redmond both succumbing to injury on the night. Clancy stated: “We’re monitoring them now, and will see how they are. Joe might struggle for Friday, Jake didn’t train today (Thursday) but he feels okay so will see how he is tomorrow and will go from there”. 

Referee: Paul McLaughlin

MATCH STATS

After nine Premier Divisions appearances this season, Chris Forrester has already scored five goals, one more and he beats his overall tally from last season.

Out of the last four league meetings between the sides, the Gypsies have won just once while the Athletic have won three times, the last being a 3-1 victory when they last visited Dalymount Park in October 2022.

St Pats have failed to keep a clean sheet in the previous three meetings with Bohemians.

PREDICTION

Bohemian FC 1 - 1 St. Patrick’s Athletic

Bohemians

Injured: James Akintunde

Doubtful: Ali Coote

Suspended: None

St. Patrick Athletic

Injured: Danny Rogers, Harry Brockbank, Tom Grisvoti, Joe Redmond.

Doubtful: Jake Mulraney.

Suspended: None

 

About Luke Jordan

Luke joined the extratime.com team in 2022 and is the current host of the extratime.com podcast.

He’s been a follower of the league since 2007 after the FAI Soccer camps gave out … View Full Profile