League Preview: Bohemians -v- Dundalk

• Dave Donnelly
• Fri, May 10 2019




BOHEMIANS

Bohemians will look to get their challenge for top spot back on track when they welcome second-placed Dundalk to Dalymount Park on Friday (kick-off 7.45pm).

The Gypsies lost ground on Dundalk last week after falling to their second defeat of the season at the hands of Cork City, having also lost at Turner’s Cross in March.

Conor McCarthy scored the only goal of the game midway through the first half as managerless City picked up their first win in nine games.

The defeat meant Bohs missed out on an opportunity to close the gap with league leaders Shamrock Rovers to a point after the Hoops were beaten by Sligo Rovers.

“With the run of form the lads have been on, we were confident going into the game, so to lose in the manner we did was disappointing,” defender Michael Barker told the club’s media team.

“But there were positives that we can take from our second-half performance and we will bring that into the game against Dundalk.

“There was huge disappointment with the result from the last time we played Dundalk. To make so many changes and play the way we did shows the depth of quality we have.

“The performance the lads put in deserved to win the game so to lose in the manner we did was a big disappointment for everyone.

“This game isn’t about revenge, but there is expectation. We know if we go out and give a performance like we did against them the last time, we can cause them a lot of problems.”

Bohs will be without long-term absentee Cristian Magerusan, while Rob Cornwall and Keith Ward will be assessed closer to kick-off.

DUNDALK

Dundalk will move above Shamrock Rovers into pole position for the first time this season should they pick up three points at Dalymount Park this evening.

Vinny Perth’s side missed out on an opportunity to move within a point last week as they surrended a 2-0 lead away to Derry City.

Patrick Hoban scored twice early in the second half but Darren Cole pegged one back and Eoghan Stokes levelled from the spot after Hoban was dismissed for handball.

“We need to push on and we want to push on,” first team coach John Gill told the club’s media team.

“The last 15 minutes against Derry last week we lacked a little bit of concentration.The players have have been magnificent though.

“Their attitude – I can’t praise them enough. Their application, their professionalism and their dedication has been absolutely brilliant.

“They are a great bunch of players and I have no doubt they will bounce back. We are in a good place.

“Other people may not see it that way but we know as a group that we are in a good place and we are looking forward to Friday.

“We know what is at stake for us on Friday and they know what is at stake for them.

“They want to leapfrog us and it’s going to be a massive game in front of a packed house – I would say it’ll be a sell out.

“We are under no illusions about what is ahead of us. We will take the game on its merits. There’s a massive prize for us and that’s all we are focused on.”

Hoban is suspended following his red card against Sligo, while Robbie Benson, Jamie McGrath, Stephen Folan and Sean Murray are all injured and Jordan Flores a doubt.

Referee: Ben Connolly

MATCH STATS

The sides have already met once this season, in a game rescheduled due to international call-ups, when a controversial last-minute Patrick Hoban penalty earned Dundalk a 1-0 win.

There were six meetings in total between the clubs last season – four in the league, and one each in the Leinster Senior Cup and EA Sports Cup.

Dundalk won five of those games, including the two cup outings, before the teams drew 1-1 at Dalymount Park on the final day.

BETTING

Bohemians 12/5; Draw 9/4; Dundalk 11/10.

PREDICTION

Bohemians 1 – 1 Dundalk

Bohemians

Injured: Cristian Magerusan (cruciate).

Doubtful: Rob Cornwall (achilles), Keith Ward (foot).

Suspended: None.

Dundalk

Injured: Robbie Benson (broken leg), Stephen Folan, Jamie McGrath, Sean Murray.

Doubtful: Jordan Flores.

Suspended: Patrick Hoban.