League Preview: Bohemians -v- Cork City

• Dylan O'Connell
• Fri, Apr 20 2018




BOHEMIANS

After a mixed week, highlighted by last week's 2-1 derby day defeat of Shamrock Rovers, Bohemians will aim to push on once again with the challenge of Cork City (kick off 8pm, live on Eir Sport).

Following the rush of blood of derby day, Monday stalled the Gypsies' momentum with a 3-1 loss away to Derry City.

“We're playing the double winners so everything has to be right - both performance and atmosphere,” manager Keith Long told the club's official website.

“Cork are champions for a reason. If you're not ready for them, they will punish you."

Drawing on last Friday’s atmosphere and experience, Long rallied players and supporters ahead of this six-pointer for both sides,

He said: "Our crowd out in Tallaght last week was excellent. The scenes at the end between players and fans were beautiful.

"You close your eyes at the end when the winner went in and listen to the noise. That's what it's all about. That's what you want from football.

"But you can't dwell on that. The challenge for us all is to reproduce that intensity and create more nights like those.

"We need our fans behind us, particularly when it's 0-0, if you're a goal down or if the game is in the balance. That's when we need our fans the most.”

Bohs captain Derek Pender is a doubt, with Paddy Kavanagh is suspended. Oscar Brennan is injured, along with Cristian Magerusan and Ryan Swan.

 

CORK CITY

After a return from grace with back-to-back 1-0 wins against St. Patrick’s Athletic and Sligo Rovers, City will be hoping to keep the momentum going against Bohemians this evening.

Speaking ahead of the game, Cork City boss John Caulfield was full of praise for the Dublin side.

“They have some fantastic young players with real energy and pace, but they also have some wise heads with a lot of experience,” Caulfield told the club's website.

“We’ve seen from watching them that they have a lot of pace and movement, and when you have pace, you’re going to cause teams problems.”

Caulfield was quick to add the fortitude of Dalymount adding to the occasion, while drawing on his previous history at the old ground,

“We have always found it difficult going to Bohs. If you look at last year, we were going for the league and we ended up with a 0-0 draw in a game we could possibly have lost.

“We know it will be a very tough game and we know that, if we don’t play well, we won’t take points.”

In team news City will be without the suspended Steven Beattie and Garry Buckley, while Johnny Dunleavy and Alan Bennet remain sidelined through injury.


 

Referee: Paul McLaughlin


 

MATCH STATS

Tonight’s tie is the second meeting between the sides this season following City’s 3-0 win at Turners Cross in March. Goals from Graham Cummins, Kieran Sadlier and Karl Sheppard.

Bohemians' last win over City at Dalymount was in July 2014 with the sides drawing twice and City winning three since.


 

BETTING

Bohemians 9/2 Draw 5/2 8/13 Cork City.

PREDICTION

Bohemians 1 – 1 Bohemians


 

Cork City:

Injured: Alan Bennett, Johnny Dunleavy.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: Steven Beattie, Gary Buckley.


 

Bohemians:

Injured: Oscar Brennan, Cristian Magerusan and Ryan Swan.

Doubtful: Derek Pender

Suspended: Paddy Kavanagh.