League Preview: Bohemians -v- Dundalk

BOHEMIANS

Buoyed with confidence off the back of a 2-1 against Shels in the North Dublin Derby, Alan Reynold's men will have a spring in their step upon their return to Dalymount Park where they face Dundalk.

A much-improved Bohs performance on Friday saw them beat the league’s early pace-setters Shelbourne at Tolka Park, with two goals from Jordan Flores – a penalty and a header from a corner.

Speaking with extratime.com after Friday's victory, Reynolds revealed: "We spoke about getting a win in Galway 10 days ago and our reaction to that win wasn't great. Our mentality has to change. Tonight was a great win, we'll enjoy it for 30 seconds, but we have to go on now and make sure we put together a performance on Monday."

Dundalk are currently at the bottom of the 10-man premier division table with just four points to their name. Reynolds will look to avail of Dundalk's poor form on front of a home crowd this evening with hopes of securing his third win of five since being appointed as head coach following the dismissal of Declan Devine in late march.

Reynold's lost his opening game as head coach against Shamrock Rovers, in a 3-1 defeat in front of a sellout home crowd of 10,000 fans. This was followed by a win against Galway and another loss to Waterford away a week later. 

Friday's victory was a morale-boosting win having struggled last year against teams from the capital.

Speaking with Bohemiansfc.com ahead of tonight's clash, Reynolds said: ”The most pleasing thing about Friday was that I felt we looked comfortable. Shels are a good side but bar a ten-minute spell in the first half we were comfortable.

”We got a break and finished the half better, scored the penalty and scored from a corner kick. It was a tough game against a good team. But we were comfortable, and we need to build on that now.

”Bohemians haven’t won back-to-back games this season and that’s not good enough for a club like Bohs. It’s obviously something we spoke about over the weekend and is something that has to change.”

”We enjoyed the win, and it was important for the fans as much as the players, but we have to follow it up. There’s no point getting yourself up for a Dublin derby if you can’t follow it up.

Following a yellow card in Drumcondra Friday night, the Gypsie's are without talisman Flores tonight following a suspension.

”We have a decent squad and people will get a chance. There will be changes with Jordan out and a number of other players struggling with niggles after a busy couple of weeks. But it’s up to others to step up and take their chance when they get it," Reynolds added.

“Last week was the first week I worked with them as I came with so many games in a short space of time.

“It was chaotic during the first eight or nine days, so we had a bit of time with each other last week and I got to know them better. What I do know is that they care and want to win. Are we perfect? Far from it. But winning a Dublin derby will help.”

DUNDALK

Having salvaged a point against St Patrick's Athletic in a cagey 0-0 battle that took place in Oriel Park last Friday, Dundalk take a trip to Dublin 7 tonight under the continued guidance of interim managers Liam Burns and Brian Gartland. 

The Gypsies, now under new boss and former Dundalk assistant Alan Reynolds, have been inconsistent this season, with four wins, four defeats and just a single draw.

But their latest victory lifted them into the top half and another win on Monday would see them rise to 16 points, alongside Derry in second.

This is the first league meeting of the sides this year, but they are now preparing for two clashes in the space of just 11 days, with Bohs coming to Oriel Park on April 26th.

The clubs did play each other in the Leinster Senior Cup at the beginning of February but fielded a youthful U20 teams in a 0-0 draw in Louth.

Last season, Bohemians won both meetings at Dalymount Park, 2-1 in February and 3-2 in July, the latter proving particularly costly and one in which Dundalk led going into the final ten minutes.

A win tonight would not only go down as their first win of the season, but could arguably act as a fresh start for the Lilywhites, building momentum and develop confidence going forward to salvage a relegation battle or worse automatic demotion to the First Division.

This is the first of back-to-back away games for Dundalk, who now travel to Sligo on Friday, in a change to the originally scheduled Saturday.

Referee: Eoghan O'Shea

Bohemians

Injured: Rob Cornwall, Keith Buckley

Doubtful: Luke Matheson, James McDonnell, James Akintunde, Filip Piszceck

Suspended: Jordan Flores

Dundalk

Injured: Ciaran McGuckin

Doubtful: Zak Johnson, Jamie Gullan, Scott High