League Preview: Bohemians -v- Shelbourne

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BOHEMIANS

Declan Devine reckons that Bohemians home advantage in Monday night’s north Dublin derby against Shelbourne suits his side (kick-off is at 7.45pm).

The Gypsies host the Reds in Dublin 7 trailing Damien Duff’s side in the table. But Devine knows that his side can leapfrog them in the standings with a win.

And the Derryman insists that home advantage suits his side as they host a league game at Dalymount Park for the first time in a calendar month.

“Monday is a big game, there is no doubt about it,” he said. “It’s been a calendar month since we last played a league game in Dalymount.

“We have had Rockmount and Usher Celtic in the cups in the meantime but the players are all really looking forward to having a league game at home.

“There’s very little between a lot of the teams pushing hard for Europe. We have to make sure we go and perform. The players have trained the last two days and are feeling fresh.

“It’s a big game, a derby with a lot riding on it. It’s a game every player wants to be involved in.

“At home with the big spaces we have in Dalymount and with the pace and power we have in this team, it suits us.”

Paddy Kirk has returned from injury and is available for selection.



SHELBOURNE

Damien Duff believes it is time that his Shelbourne side land a statement win against Bohemians at Dalymount Park.

The Reds are one point ahead of Bohs in the table as they look to secure an unlikely European place.

But Shels have not won against Bohemians at Dalymount Park under Duffs tenure – nor have they won at the venue against Bohs since June 2013.

Yet, Duff has belief that his side can turn that statistic around.

“Bohs are an incredibly dangerous team and they have big players,” he told his club’s media team after Friday’s 2-1 win over Cork City.



“They will be disappointed with their draw against Drogheda on Friday but Dalymount is always a difficult place to go to.

“But it is time that we turned them over there, it is very simple.”

Shels are expected to remain without Sean Boyd, Kameron Ledwidge and Matty Smith through injury.

Referee: Rob Harvey.

 

PREDICTION

Bohemians 0-1 Shelbourne

 

Bohemians

Injured: None.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

 

Shelbourne

Injured: Sean Boyd, Matty Smith, Kameron Ledwidge.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

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