League Preview: Dundalk -v- Bohemians

DUNDALK

Fourth-placed Dundalk will be looking to draw level on points with third-placed Bohemians when they face each other in Oriel Park this Friday (kick-off at 7.45 pm). 

Dundalk are back home after a dismal away day against Derry City at the Brandywell on Monday night, comprehensively beaten 3-0 by the Candystripes.

Several regular starters such as Patrick Hoban, Keith Ward and Ryan O’Kane started their defeat in Derry on the bench in the loss that ended their six-game unbeaten run in the league.

Dundalk boss Stephen O’Donnell felt the final score against Derry City was harsh on his team, but knows there are areas for improvement going into this Friday’s match.

“I think it was a fifty-fifty game in Derry on Monday. Both teams didn’t look overly threatening and the main difference was we gifted them goals, they didn’t.

“I thought we could have been better on a physicality front. We watched the game back on Wednesday amongst each other so we know where we can improve and where we need to improve.”

The Lilywhites return to Oriel Park, where in their last game the game ended with two red cards for the travelling team and two injury-time goals for Dundalk to claim all three points against a struggling Cork City side.

BOHEMIANS

Declan Devine will be hoping his side can put an end to their recent dip in form this Friday in Dundalk, after losing two in a row against Shamrock Rovers and Derry City.

Their last league match was also a loss to Derry City thanks to a Ryan Graydon goal shortly after Grant Horton was dismissed for the Gypsies.

Although Bohemians have a game in hand over the Lilywhites in fourth, they will be anxious not to lose any ground on both Derry City and Shamrock Rovers who have looked excellent in recent weeks.

It has been either a feast or a famine in front of goals for Bohs in recent weeks, being kept scoreless in their last two after putting five past Cork City before their run of losses.

Irish fans will be keeping an eye on James Talbot in goals for Bohemians, as he is one of the three representatives from the League of Ireland in Stephen Kenny’s 22-man training camp in Bristol next week.

Referee: Neil Doyle

MATCH STATS

A feisty affair can be expected in Dundalk if the previous encounter between the two sides is anything to go by. 

In Bohemians’ 2-1 victory against Dundalk in February there were 11 yellow cards (six for Bohemians, five for Dundalk). 

The Dundalk fans have become accustomed to late goals during home games, scoring three goals in injury time in their last two games at Oriel Park.

The last time Bohemians lost a game at home they bounced back with a win away to Louth opposition, beating Drogheda United 2-0 after losing 3-2 to St Patrick’s Athletic in Dalymount.

PREDICTION

Dundalk 3-2 Bohemians

DUNDALK

Injured: John Mountney, Greg Sloggett, Andy Boyle, Louie Annesley, Robbie Benson

Doubtful: Darragh Leahy, Rayhaan Tulloch

Suspended: None

BOHEMIANS:

Injured: James Akintunde

Doubtful: None

Suspended: Grant Horton