League Preview: Bohemians -v- Longford Town

• Andrew Dempsey
• Sun, Jul 18 2021




BOHEMIANS

Bohemians will be looking to maintain their good domestic form when they welcome Longford Town to Dalymount Park on Sunday afternoon (kick-off is at 4pm).

The Gypsies earned a superb 3-0 win over Icelandic side Stjarnan in the Europa Conference League – with Dawson Devoy the star of the show.

But despite their big European win, their manager is wary that his side must uphold their good domestic form of they are to have more nights like that in Europe.

“Our focus has to shift to Sunday. It already has for the boys that did and didn’t come on [on Thursday].

“We’ll recover as best we can and get ready for Sunday,” Bohs boss Keith Long told his club’s media team after Thursday’s win.

“Results like [Thursday] don’t happen unless we look after Sunday’s game and games like that. We want to get back into Europe. We want to compete there on an annual basis.

“It’s good for Irish football that we won, the coefficient will be boosted as a result and it’s good for the development of this group.

“Whatever team we pick will be ready to play [against Longford] and we have to stay grounded with our domestic form and not get carried away.”

In terms of team news, Bohs are expected to make changes from Thursday’s win over Stjarnan, although no official team news has been issued.

Stephen Mallon and Promise Omochere have been out in recent weeks, however. Ali Coote is suspended.

LONGFORD TOWN

Winless since the opening day of the season Longford Town face a stiff test against Bohemians on Sunday afternoon as they look to claw their way out of relegation trouble.

Town have been unlucky at times this season, but they must be aware that results need to arrive sooner rather than later.

And they can take confidence from recent weeks, none more so than a strong second-half display against Drogheda United last time out, a half that yielded a 1-1 draw.

That result was achieved with two new recruits Darragh Nugent and Dean Williams, both on loan from Shamrock Rovers.

Nugent’s impact was telling throughout, impressing when on the ball, showing maturity far beyond his years.

He was also heavily involved in creating Town’s equaliser through Dylan Grimes.

Grimes, is expected to miss out on Sunday with an injury as is his attacking teammate Callum Warfield. Mick McDonnell is suspended.

Referee: Neil Doyle.

 

MATCH STATS

Bohemians have only once at home to Longford in their history in league competition – with the Gypsies only defeat at Dalymount against De Town coming in August 2006.

In terms of recent form, Bohs have only lost once since the mid-season break, while Longford have drawn three and lost three since.

BETTING

Bohemians 1/3; Draw 15/4; Longford Town 10/1.

PREDICTION

Bohemians 1 - 1 Longford Town

 

Bohemians

Injured: N/A.

Doubtful: N/A.

Suspended: Ali Coote.

 

Longford Town

Injured: Dylan Grimes, Callum Warfield.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: Mick McDonnell.