Shamrock Rovers -v- Bohemians

Shamrock Rovers and Bohemians meet in the fourth and final installment of their 2011 Dublin derby league fixtures at Tallaght Stadium on Wednesday night with Rovers hoping to close the gap on Sligo at the top of the Airtricity Premier Division.  (Kick-off, 7.05pm)

So far this season, Shamrock Rovers have come out on top in the meetings between the two sides. A late, late equaliser from Ronan Finn earned the Hoops a 1-1 draw in their first meeting back in April, and two 1-0 wins followed in May and August. Bohemians enjoyed their only win against the Hoops in the Leinster Senior Cup quarter-finals when Kevin Feely scored an extratime winner at Dalymount Park.

Nine points separate the sides in the league table with Rovers in second spot, three points behind leaders Sligo Rovers, while Bohs are back in fifth. A win for Rovers would pull them level with Sligo at the top of the table while three points for Bohs would move the Gypsies to within a point of fourth placed St Patrick’s Athletic and into contention for a European qualification place.

Apart from their respective league positions, recent form also favours the Tallaght side with Rovers having won seven of their last nine league fixtures. Only title rivals Sligo Rovers and St Pats have stained the Hoops record with Paul Cook’s men winning 2-1 at Tallaght last month and St Pats earning a 1-1 draw three days later at Richmond Park.

Bohs have won five of their last nine league outings with four of those wins having come in the last six games. Unfortunately for Pat Fenlon’s men their last two results have put paid to what was beginning to look like a remarkable late title challenge. Their defeat to a rejuvenated UCD at Belfield last Monday week, and a subsequent 0-0 draw at home to St Pats, have reduced Bohs’ ambitions to qualification for Europe.

Fenlon is likely to have veteran defender Owen Heary available on Wednesday night and striker Christy Fagan may also be fit enough to play after a knee injury. Midfielder Keith Buckley took a heavy knock against St Pats on Friday night and remains doubtful. For Rovers, forward Dean Kelly is definitely out with central defenders Craig Sives and Ken Oman both doubtful.

These are fixtures that are always keenly contested but the opportunity to throw a serious spanner in the title hopes of their arch enemies will offer Bohemians added motivation, if any were needed. 

Shamrock Rovers

Injured: Dean Kelly.

Doubtful: Craig Sives, Ken Oman.

Suspended: None.

Bohemians

Injured: None.

Doubtful: Christy Fagan, Keith Buckley.

Suspended: None.

Referee: Derek Tomney.

Paddy Power Odds: Rovers 4/7; Draw 5/2; Bohemians 5/1.

Extratime prediction: Form suggests a home win but anything can happen on derby day. Rovers to win 2-1.