Shamrock Rovers -v- Bohemians

SHAMROCK ROVERS

Shamrock Rovers will be aiming to maintain their unbeaten start to the season tomorrow evening when they face Bohemians in a top versus bottom encounter.

Goals certainly haven't been a problem for The Hoops this season, scoring ten so far and they will be feeling confident coming off the back of a 4-0 victory over Shelbourne last Friday.

Ciaran Kilduff (broken metatarsal), Conor Winn (back) and Stephen O'Donnell (knee surgery) are all out through injury while Gary McCabe and Conor Powell both miss out through suspension. Goalkeeper Reyaad Pieterse is available for the first time after receiving permission to work in Ireland last week.

Both teams have already met each other this season in the Leinster Senior Cup which resulted in a penalty shoot-out, however, Stephen Kenny and Aaron Callaghan put out understrength teams that night.

Speaking to shamrockrovers.ie, Kenny said he will be going into this match with a lot of confidence but stressed that they can't afford to underestimate their opposition, especially in a derby game. “There was a great crowd and a great atmosphere at last Friday’s game against Shelbourne, and hopefully we can replicate that tomorrow night.

“Derby games are always a test - there usually isn’t much in them and they are often decided by just one goal. We will take confidence from our 4-0 win over Shelbourne last week, but we don’t underestimate anyone in this league, especially not in a derby game.”
 

BOHEMIANS
Without a goal or a win to their name so far, Bohemians could put their slow start to the season to the back of their minds for a while if they can get a result against Shamrock Rovers tomorrow night.

Aaron Callaghan picked up his first point of the season against St Patrick’s Athletic last weekend and is urging his players to be mentally strong ahead of their trip to Tallaght. He told bohemians.ie. "They have to be really, really up for this game. If our attitude is right and the players are mentally strong and the opposition has an off-day, you never know what can happen,” Callaghan said.

"This is a David v Goliath battle. It used to be David v David. Look at their five strikers to our three. Each of them is on three times the pay of our highest paid and they have all won honours in the league."

The Gypsies have received a much needed boost this week with Danny Joyce and Keith Ward returning to full training and could be fit for selection. Adam Martin also returns from suspension.

 

Referee: Richie Winter

MATCH STATS.
Since it opened in 2009, Bohemians have never won at Tallaght Stadium.

The last league game between the two sides ended in a 1-1 draw. Dan Murray broke the deadlock in the 32nd minute, but Glenn Cronin equalised on the hour mark.

Shamrock Rovers currently have eight former Bohemians players in their side - Ken Oman, Conor Powell, Chris Turner, Aaron Greene, Stephen Rice, Stephen O'Donnell, Killian Brennan and Colin Hawkins.

ODDS
Shamrock Rovers 2/7; Draw 15/4; Bohemians 10/1

PREDICTION 
Shamrock Rovers 2-1 Bohemians

Shamrock Rovers injury news: Ciaran Kilduff (Broken Metatarsal), Conor Winn (Back), Stephen O'Donnell (Knee Surgery). 
Shamrock Rovers suspension news: Conor Powell, Gary McCabe.

Bohemians injury news: None.
Bohemians suspension news: None.