St. Patrick's Athletic -v- Bohemians

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Dublin rivals St Patrick’s Athletic and Bohemians FC meet for the second time in a week as the two Setanta cup finalists get back into Airtricity League action at Richmond Park. Kick off 7:45pm.

The Saints are currently a point behind Dundalk and Rovers at the top of the Premier Division with a game in hand. Vinny Faherty and Ian Bermingham return to the Saints squad having lined out for the Ireland under 23’s against the senior squad during the week. Club Captain Damien Lynch is out injured (hamstring) along with midfielder Brian Cash (thigh strain).

St Pats Manager Pete Mahon is hoping that Paul Byrne (knee) and Connor Kenna (illness) will be available. David McAllister will miss out due to suspension.

Mahon was quick to put the Setanta Cup Final defeat behind him and feels the disappointment can help motivate his side in the match on Friday.

“It’s a great opportunity to come back from the disappointment of last week. I think anybody watching the game would have said that there was very little between the teams. The Setanta game will have no bearing on tomorrow only to serve perhaps as a motivation.

“We respect Bohemians as league champions but we don’t fear them, I’m expecting a good performance and a win” said Mahon.

Bohemians will be full of confidence going into this game after picking up the first piece of silverware of the season when they beat St Patricks Athletic 1-0 in last week’s Setanta Cup Final. A win for them will see them go level on points with St Pats. The current champions have had an inconsistent start to the season but their away form has been good with four of their six wins coming away from Dalymount Park.

Bohemians will be missing some key players for the trip to South Dublin. Raffaele Cretaro and Gareth McGlynn are out through suspension while Ken Oman, Steven Gray and Aaron Greene are all out due to injury. Jason Byrne and Anto Murphy face late fitness tests after taking knocks in the Setanta Cup Final.

Pat Fenlon is wary of St Pat’s threat and knows that they will be hurting after the Setanta cup final defeat to Bohemians last week.

“Going to Pats will be even more difficult after beating them. Anybody watching the final will have seen there’s not much between the teams”.

Paddy Power Match Odds: St Patricks Athletic 15/8 Draw 21/10 Bohemians FC 7/5

Extratime.ie Match Prediction: 1-1