Sports Mole previews Friday’s League of Ireland Premier clash between Bohemians and Dundalk, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Two relegation rivals will face off when Bohemians welcome Dundalk to Dalymount Park for Friday’s League of Ireland Premier Division clash.
Dundalk are languishing in the relegation playoff spot, while the hosts are hovering outside the bottom two in eighth place.
Match preview
Since recording three consecutive victories in April, Bohemians have gone on to win just one of their next 11 league matches.
In fact, they have failed to win any of their previous six Premier Division matches since recording a comfortable 3-0 victory over Shelbourne in May.
They have been particularly poor on home turf, having mustered 12 points from their 11 league game at Dalymount Park, leaving Bohs with the worst home record in the top flight.
However, they were able to claim a home win in last Friday’s FAI clash against Shamrock Rovers, with Dayle Rooney scoring from the penalty spot to secure a 1-0 victory and set up a third-round tie with second-tier Kerry.
After gaining some valuable confidence in their cup outing, Bohemians will now turn their focus to Friday’s contest, where they will attempt to claim a home win over Dundalk for the second time this season following a 1-0 win in April’s meeting at Dalymount Park.
In contrast to their hosts, Dundalk experienced disappointment in their FAI Cup as they fell to a 2-1 away defeat against Drogheda United, just one week after beating the same opponent by a 4-2 scoreline in the Premier Division.
Dundalk will now turn their focus to their survival bid, with four points seprating them from Saturday’s opponents, who also have the advantage of having two games in hand.
Jon Daly‘s side can at least take some comfort from the fact they have a six-point cushion over basement side Drogheda.
They have experienced mixed results in their recent league outings, having seen their previous six top-flight matches produce three wins and three defeats.
Dundalk may have lost their most recent away clash with Bohemians, but they did manage to claim a 2-0 victory when the two sides met at Oriel Park on April 26.
Bohemians League of Ireland Premier form:
Bohemians form (all competitions):
Dundalk League of Ireland Premier form:
Dundalk form (all competitions):
Team News
The hosts are expected to be without the services of Brian McManus, James McManus, Rob Cornwall and Keith Buckley.
Summer signings Leigh Kavanagh, Dawson Devoy and Alex Grieve could retain their spots after starting in the FAI Cup win over Shamrock Rovers.
Bohemians boss Alan Reynolds could still make a couple of changes, with Paddy Kirk and James Akintunde likely to be considered for starting spots.
As for the visitors, they are unable to call upon midfielder Paul Doyle, who sustained a hamstring injury in the league win over Drogheda earlier this month.
Dara Keane, who has made just one league appearance this season, is still around five weeks from returning to action as he continues to work his way back to full fitness.
New additions Aodh Dervin and Norman Garbett are both in contention after featuring as substitutes in last Friday’s cup defeat.
Bohemians possible starting lineup:
Chorazka; Miller, Kavanagh, Byrne, Kirk; Kavanagh, Tierney; Grieve, Devoy, Rooney; Akintunde
Dundalk possible starting lineup:
Goddard; Mountney, Animasahun, Keogh; McGill, Dervin; Garbett, Benson, Horgan; Gullan
We say: Bohemians 2-1 Dundalk
Bohemians may have won just three of their 11 home league games, but one of those wins did take place against Dundalk, and we think they will take inspiration from that result to claim a narrow win in Friday’s encounter.
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