League Preview: St. Patrick's Athletic -v- Bohemians

• Brendan Graham
• Sat, Sep 22 2018




ST PATRICK’S ATHLETIC

St. Patrick’s Athletic come into this Dublin derby off the back of good recent form looking for their third league win in a row with a Leinster Senior Cup Final to look forward to next Friday evening against Shelbourne.

Liam Buckley’s side have performed strongly at Richmond Park this season picking up nine wins and two draws from fifteen home league games to date this season.

A win against Bohs on Saturday evening will see their lead over Keith Long’s side extended to six points and further cement their grip on that mid table position in the league.

Captain Ian Bermingham returns to the squad after serving a one game suspension while midfielder Killian Brennan and Thomas Byrne are back in contention as well.

Manager Liam Buckley is expecting a tough game as always against their Dublin rivals but is happy enough with his sides form.

He told the club website "Bohs are on an eight game winning streak and are coming in off a great win in the cup as well. From our end of things, we are also doing well in recent weeks. It's a big game and one I imagine will be an exciting and decent game of football. It is a Dublin derby, so we know both the crowd and atmosphere in Inchicore will be electric.

"We are three points ahead of Bohs at the moment, and by the end of the weekend I am hoping will be six points ahead."

 

BOHEMIANS

An impressive 3-1 victory away to Derry midweek in the quarter-finals of the F.A.I Cup gave Bohs their eight win in a row in all competition, the clubs best run of form in ten years.

The run of form has seen the north side outfit climb to sixth in the league table with an F.A.I Cup semi-final to look forward to next Sunday against Cork as well.

They also continue to maintain an interest in this year’s Irn-Bru Cup where they will host Sutton United in a few weeks.

A quick turnaround following a long journey to Derry but manager Keith Long insists it is a welcome problem to have as it means that his players are doing well and still battling on more than one front as the business end of the season approaches.

“It’s a quick turnaround having played Wednesday. But we’re not complaining, it’s a great problem to have. We’re delighted to be in the semi-finals of the Cup.” said Keith Long ahead of the game

“Wednesday was an excellent performance and a memorable night for the players, staff and supporters. It’s something we hope we can build on.

With captain Derek Pender ruled out having picked up an injury on Wednesday and the games coming thick and fast, Long will look to rotate his squad for the Dublin derby and keep as many of his first eleven fresh for next week.

Long told the club website “We’ll have at least one change forced upon us with Derek Pender ruled out after suffering a head injury.

“We’ve other players who have niggles who we need to manage too. But we have a squad we believe in and players who can come in and step up to the mark when called upon.

“It’s an important game, it’s a Dublin derby, so it’s the perfect game to come back into after Wednesday as there’s a lot at stake again.

“Motivation is high across the squad. Everyone is pushing each other for game-time.”

Referee: Robert Hennessy

 

MATCH FACTS

Keith Long’s Bohemians side are on their best run of form in ten years having picked up eight wins in a row in all competitions ahead of this game

In terms of league positions, St. Pats sit in mid table in 5^th position just three points clear of Bohs before tomorrow evenings fixture

St. Pats have picked up twenty nine of their total of forty three points at Richmond Park so far this season. Bohs have earned themselves nineteen of their forty point total on their travels.

 

BETTING

St. Pats 11/10; Draw 23/10; Bohs 2/1

 

PREDICTION

St. Pats 1-2 Bohs

 

St. Pats

Injured: Christy Fagan

Doubtful: None

Suspended: None

 

Bohemians

Injured: Derek Pender, Ryan Masterson, Cristian Magerusan, Ryan Swan

Doubtful: Darragh Leahy

Suspended: None