League Preview: Bohemians -v- Dundalk

BOHEMIANS

Bohemians dropped out of the top four in the Premier Division table for the first time this season by virtue of their 3-1 loss away to Sligo Rovers last weekend.

That defeat meant they have only picked up two points out of a maximum of 12 points in their last four outings, certainly not the kind of form which warrants a top four European place.

After a highly promising start to the season during which they headed the table, they have been reined in not only by the current leaders Shamrock Rovers, but also by rival top four contenders St Patricks Athletic, Derry City and Friday night’s opponents Dundalk.

The reverse at the Showgrounds will have been particularly galling for manager Declan Devine as they were 3-0 behind ten minutes into the second half and then could not utilise a numerical advantage when Sligo’s Killian Barlow was red carded in the 63^rd minute.

Bohs had 30 mins to claw their way back into the game after the sending off but all they could manage was a consolation goal from Jonathon Afolabi in the 87^th minute.

Bohemians did announce a new signing this week with the arrival of another Polish defender, right-back Bartlomiej Kukulowicz arriving at Dalymount Park from Polish club Nieciecza.

The 22-year-old will be in their squad for the visit of the Lilywhites on Friday night.

DUNDALK

Dundalk have chosen the right end of the season to find form and consistency as they sit in fourth place on the league table with only seven points separating then from leaders Shamrock Rovers.

With 24 games played and the final 12 games to come, the Lilywhites are the only team in the league to be unbeaten in their last five outings.

Their 2-0 home win against Rovers last weekend capped an excellent five game run during which they picked up 13 points out of a maximum of 15.

Head Coach Stephen O’ Donnell was busy during the transfer window and moved this week to sign Darren Brownlie, the 29-year-old centre back arriving from Partick Thistle in the Scottish Championship.

Dundalk right winger Daniel Kelly, who put in a very good shift against Rovers, was on media duty this week and he reflected on the Rovers game when he spoke to The Argus this week.

He said ‘’I thought to a man we were outstanding from the get-go really. We didn’t want to give them any time on the ball and just press and press. I know they like to go long sometimes up here but I thought we nullified everything. They obviously do like to spin down the sides of people but to a man we were outstanding tonight so there’s a great feeling in the dressing room.”

Looking ahead to the Bohs game he added “We know if you go on a run in this league, you can gain places”.

“I think we’re still fourth but we’re seven points off Rovers now and we’ll just keep going and taking it game by game. We’ve a huge game next week against Bohs so we just need to keep taking it game by game but if you’re going into these games winning going into Europe then it’s a good knack to have.”

Referee: Rob Hennessy

MATCH STATS

Bohemians have only managed to beat Dundalk once in their last eight encounters, that sole win being their second game of the season in Dalymount Park back in late February.

Jordan Flores and Declan McDaid were their scorers in that match with Finnish midfielder Johannes Yli -Kokko scoring for Dundalk.

Flores and McDaid seem to make a habit of scoring against the Lilywhites as they also both netted in the more recent encounter between the two sides, a 2-2 draw in Oriel Park in May. A Pat Hoban goal for Dundalk coupled with a James Talbot OG saw the sides share the points on that occasion.

BETTING

Bohemians 5/4; Draw 23/10; Dundalk 19/10

PREDICTION

Bohemians 1 - 2 Dundalk

Bohemians

Injured:  Dean Williams

Doubtful: None

Suspended: None

Dundalk

Injured:  John Mountney, Cameron Elliot.

Doubtful: None

Suspended: None