League Preview: Bohemians -v- Sligo Rovers

BOHEMIANS

Bohemians will play one of their games in hand this Friday night when they entertain a resurgent Sligo Rovers at Dalymount Park.

Bohs have only 21 games played this season so far, and with many of the other clubs in European action this week, they will be looking to overcome fellow mid table side Sligo Rovers and close the gap on the top four sides.

They currently lie in eight position on 26 points but such is the nature of the league this season, picking up maximum points from their two games in hand would put them only two points adrift of current fourth placed Shamrock Rovers.

They would need to improve on their recent form if they are to do so however, as they have not won a game in their last five outings, losing twice and drawing three times.

They were one nil ahead through a fourth minute Dayle Rooney penalty away to Galway Utd last weekend but conceded an equaliser from a Rob Slevin 50^th minute goal and were unable to score again and had to settle for a draw.

Manager Alan Reynolds will be hoping that the business they have conducted recently in the transfer window will enable then to push for one of those coveted top four slots.

The Gypsies have added four new players to their squad, with 25-year-old striker Alec Grieve joining Ross Tierney, Leigh Kavanagh and Archie Meekison at the Dalymount club.

Bohs boss Reynolds commented on the most recent signing when he spoke with the Bohs media team this week, he said: “I am delighted to get Alex on board. He's quick, he's sharp and he is going to be a real handful for defenders.

“Alex can play anywhere across the front three and we have had him in training over the past couple of days and I've been very impressed by him.

“Like everyone else who comes in during this window, he will need a little bit of time to get up to speed but he has been away with the New Zealand squad recently so he is in good shape.

“The squad is already looking a lot stronger now than it did a number of weeks ago and we are looking forward to getting all the new lads involved as soon as possible.”

SLIGO ROVERS

In contrast to their opponents this weekend, Sligo Rovers have been in excellent form of late, winning three of their last five games and climbing up to sixth place on the table, only three points of a top four slot.

More significantly perhaps was the fact that the last two wins were against top four sides, with their 2-0 home win over Shamrocks Rovers being followed up by a 2-1 win over Derry City last weekend.

They are also incidentally one of the few sides to beat league leaders Shelbourne, with their 2-1 away win at Tolka Park one of the standout performances of the season.

There has been some movement at the Showgrounds also during the transfer window, with Fabrice Hartmann and Rein Smit leaving the club and ex Bohemians winger Stephen Mallon joining from NIFL club Cliftonville

Rover’s manager John Russell spoke to the club’s media team this week and said: “We picked up two brilliant and well-deserved wins over one team defending their title (Shamrock Rovers) and one team (Derry City) chasing it.

“We want to keep building on recent performances. We have shown that we can play with the teams at the top of the table and now it’s down to us to show we have the will and ability to go toe-to-toe with a team who are below us.

"Dalymount is a really tough place to go for anyone in this league, as their supporters always get right behind them and we need to manage that. They have a very deep squad which gives them the ability to change the game at any moment from the bench.

“They’ve let go of a few players but have also brought in a number of new faces so we are going into the unknown somewhat. 

“We must plan without JR Wilson but we knew about that straight after the Derry game and have worked well on our shape and formation all week. We are going to try and continue the momentum from the wins over Shamrock Rovers and Derry and bring it to Dublin.”

Referee: Marc Lynch.

MATCH STATS

This is the third meeting of the two sides this season, with the sides playing out a 2-2 draw at the Showgrounds on the opening day of the season in mid-February, and Bohs then having a comprehensive 3-0 winners at the Showgrounds in the May fixture.

In the latter fixture, Aboubacar Keita and James Clarke had them 2-0 ahead at the half time break, and Dayle Rooney made sure of the three points with an insurance third goal in the 61^st minute.

PREDICTION

Bohemians 2-1 Sligo Rovers

Bohemians

Injured:  Rob Cornwall, Keith Buckley

Doubtful: None

Suspended: None

Sligo Rovers

Injured: John Mahon. Conor Reynolds

Doubtful: None

Suspended: JR Wilson

Europa Conference League Report: Shelbourne 2 - 1 St Joseph's https://t.co/2QodFyRzZcpic.twitter.com/XRMDBgGIvV

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