League Preview: Derry City -v- Bohemians

• Dave Donnelly
• Fri, May 05 2017




DERRY CITY

Derry City continue their search for a first league win since March 18^th as they welcome Bohemians to Buncrana on Friday night (kick-off 7.45pm).

 

A point at home to St Patrick's Athletic could have been more but for the outstanding form of Pats keeper Conor O'Malley.

 

Ronan Curtis and Aaron McEneff, the former a stunning strike, pulled Kenny Shiels' side level but they couldn't force a winner in the final moments.

 

Derry have now slipped to fifth position, but are now closer to the relegation places (five points) as they are second-placed Dundalk and Bray Wanderers.

 

Following on from their 4-1 win at Dalymount Park on the opening day, Shiels has warned Bohs will arrive with vengeance in mind.

 

“Its going to be a hard game,” he told the club's website. “We didn’t warrant a 4-1 win but we took it.

 

“They will come here to get a point, that’s the way they will be thinking. It would be nice to get our noses in front but we have shown good character to come from behind.

 

“You always want to win and going in front is a portion of the game but the win is most important.”

 

City will be without strikers Rory Patterson and Mikhail Kennedy, the former a long-term absentee, while Nicky Low and Nathan Boyle are doubts are being injured in the warm-up last week.

 

 

BOHEMIANS

Bohemians will arrive in Donegal buoyed following a win over another one of the locals, Finn Harps, at Dalymount Park last Friday night.

 

An own goal and a first for the club from Oscar Brennan helped Keith Long's side to a handy 2-0 win, ending a run of four straight defeats in the league.

 

“We knew it would be a battle against Finn Harps. We kept our discipline and put in a professional display,” Long told the club's website.

 

“It was a good win and it was important to get the three points. We were a bit nervous, but we’ve played better in other games and got nothing.

 

“The most important thing was that we won the game. It’s given everyone a big lift and should inject some confidence into the boys.”

 

Bohs remain without long-term absentees Ismahil Akinade and Eoin Wearen, while full-backs Dylan Hayes and Derek Pender are doubts, but Dinny Corcoran could return after a month out.

 

 

Referee: Robert Harvey

 

 

MATCH STATS

Derry City won the first meeting between the sides this season 4-1 at Dalymount Park.

 

 

BETTING

Derry City 4/6; Draw 14/5; Bohemians 4/1.

 

PREDICTION

Derry City 2 – 0 Bohemians

 

 

Derry City

Injured: Mikhail Kennedy, Rory Patterson.

Doubtful: Nathan Boyle, Nicky Low.

Suspended: None.

 

Bohemians

Injured: Ismahil Akinade, Eoin Wearen.

Doubtful: Dinny Corcoran, Dylan Hayes, Derek Pender.

Suspended: None.