Bohemians -v- Sligo Rovers

In addition to the game in Dalymount Park, at half time to celebrate the launch of Army of Two: The Devil’s Cartel, EA are invading the Airtricity League this Friday and giving you and a fellow fan the chance to win a console and copy of the game. Click here to read more about how you could be in with a chance to win.

BOHEMIANS

The Dublin outfit face a tough task on Friday evening when they entertain unbeaten Sligo Rovers at Dalymount Park. 

A mixed start to the season has seen Aaron Callaghan’s side pick up four points from three games. A 2-1 defeat to Cork City was sandwiched in between a win against UCD and a 0-0 draw against rivals Shamrock Rovers.

Callaghan was disappointed by the postponement of last weekend’s game against St. Patricks Athletic which denied Bohs the opportunity to build on the Shamrock Rovers result, “The lads put in a good performance against Shamrock Rovers and a good result against Pats would have moved us right up the table”

Callaghan is well aware that in, Sligo Rovers, they will meet their toughest opponents yet this season. “The level of consistency Sligo have maintained is very good. They are able to compete for the best players and they have bought well. They took Evan [McMillan] from us, a really good player, and I was surprised that others didn’t get him.”

In young players Luke Byrne, Ryan McEvoy and Keith Buckley Bohs have three outstanding performers so far this season. Striker Chris Lyons, who has also impressed since moving from UCD in the offseason, misses out through an ankle injury he picked up in the game against Shamrock Rovers. New signing Stephen Paisley has returned to full fitness and offers the manager another alternative in the centre of defence. 

One area Bohs will hope improves from the Shamrock Rovers game is the state of pitch. Players and managers were vocal in their displeasure at the state of the surface that day but one can only worry that the prolonged spell of poor weather may continue to leave its mark.

SLIGO ROVERS

The Westerners will hope to continue their perfect run when they visit the capital for the first time this season. The title-holders boast an impressive six wins from six games in all competitions in 2013.

The saying at Extratime.ie is ‘It’s not a Sligo Rovers win unless Anthony Elding scores’ and that has proved to be the case so far this season with the new signing notching five league goals. Elding was on the score sheet in last weekends 2-1 win against a Limerick side who have impressed early in the season. 

Manager Ian Baraclough is aware of the potential dangers this fixture may pose for his sides unbeaten run “We went to Dalymount Park last year and earned a 0-0 draw where both teams may have felt they could have won the game. Bohemians have had a good solid start, including holding Shamrock Rovers to a draw, so they’ll see this as a no-lose situation.”

Baraclough believes the TV cameras wont affect his teams approach “When you’re the league champions and you win your first four matches, it is bound to draw more focus and eyes on the club. You don’t do anything differently to prepare and we had to deal with it a lot last season. I don’t think it ever affected us, you have to deal with it and play the opposition.”

The Bit O’ Red are without Danny North (knee) and Joseph Ndo (hand), but are close to welcoming back Danny Ventre and Gavin Peers, “Danny has stepped up his training, he has done a little bit more and while this weekend might be a bit too soon, he’ll be coming into contention shortly. Gavin Peers will be itching to get back, he has had a scan on his injury in Dublin and it has come back all clear” Baraclough said.

Referee: Graham Kelly.

MATCH STATS

Sligo Rovers are looking to pick up 15 points in a calendar month for the first time since October 2010

Sligo have won their first four league games on an aggregate score of 9-2

The last time the two sides met in Dalymount on Good Friday the home side came out on top 1-0

BETTING

Bohemians 9/2; Draw 5/2; Sligo Rovers 8/13.

PREDICTION

An entertaining 1-1 draw

Bohemians

Injured: Chris Lyons.
Suspended: None.

Sligo Rovers

Injured: Danny North, Joseph Ndo.
Suspended: None.