Dundalk -v- Bohemians

DUNDALK

Dundalk meet struggling Bohemians at Oriel Park on Friday night in Premier Division as they look to continue their fine form and further cut the lead at the top of the table, solidifying themselves as title contenders. Last time out, they triumphed away from home to fellow championship chasers Derry City thanks to a late Tiarnan Mulvenna strike which has now reduced the gap at the top to six points.

They have strengthened an already strong squad with some fresh faces, most recently that of former Portadown defender Brian Gartland although Eoghan Osborne and Sami Osobe have left the club.

That potential season-defining game at the Brandywell last week was no doubt a huge result for the Lilywhites and manager Stephen Kenny has called upon his side to carry that same mentality into the game against Bohemians, insisting that there is no such thing as an easy game at this level.

Before this clash Stephen Kenny said: “We have to earn the right to win every game because there are no easy games in this league and we have to go into the Bohemians game with the mentality to win it, the same as every other game.

“It was a setback against Limerick but the players responded brilliantly with the victory against Derry and they deserve huge credit for that but it is important for us to build on it. It was a huge result and we have to build on it, especially at home where we have won four of our last five and we want to build on that.”

Former Bohs man Keith Ward misses out as he continues his lengthy rehabilitation from a cruciate ligament injury as well as defender Chris Shields who sits out with a hip knock picked up last week.

They do however welcome back the influential Stephen O’Donnell after a lengthy suspension as well as another ex-Bohemians standout in Mark Rossiter while fellow new faces Francis McCaffrey and Jordan Keegan will be pushing for starting berths along with Gartland.

BOHEMIANS

Bohemians make the journey northbound in desperate need of a win to halt their slump that has saw them sink to second bottom and now involved in a relegation scrap.

However, despite their struggles, most notably in the final third of the field, manager Aaron Callaghan has been pleased with their performances of late and admits he hopes to add some new signings over the coming weeks.

So far, forward Conor Murphy has been brought to Phibsborough and Callaghan said of the displays of late: “In the last three games we have had three good performances but just three bad results.

“Goals are hard to come by in any league and look at Paris Saint Germain and what they are paying [Zlatan] Ibrahimovic to make a difference for them and it has been a problem for us both last season and this season as goalscorers are few and far between. But we have a couple of players coming in from England [with regards to the upcoming friendlies] and some others we are having a look at from the Leinster,” he continued.

At the back, the Gypsies have perhaps lacked some experience but the man in charge at Dalymount has also singled out youthful defensive duo Roberto Lopes and Luke Byrne for their displays in what has been a difficult season for them at times.

“They are only in their second season and are playing in a very tough league,” said Callaghan. “They are fantastic young players and they are going to be very good in the future whether that be in Ireland or the UK. We have just paid heavily for our errors at the back this season."

Definite absentees for the Gypsies boss are Stephen Traynor who has picked up an ankle injury and Andy Mulligan who is representing Ireland at the World University Games in Russia and has helped them to the quarter-finals, while Ciaran Nangle and Ryan McEvoy also look set to sit out through injury. However, returning from the treatment table are experienced duo Owen Heary and Dave Mulcahy.

Referee: Neil Doyle

MATCH STATS

In the past 12 years, Dundalk have managed just one victory against Bohemians on home soil and that came back in 2010 when Wayne Hatswell netted a late clincher.

Having won 2-0 in Dublin earlier in the campaign through Mulvenna and Richie Towell goals, Dundalk are looking to win two on the spin against Bohs for the first time in 20 years.

Although they are unbeaten in the past three meetings in Louth, the Lilywhites have failed to beat Bohemians in the previous six games.

BETTING

Dundalk 1/2; Draw 5/2; Bohemians 13/2

PREDICTION

All the pressure will be on the home side to go out and deliver against an underperforming Bohs who must turn their fortunes around. Dundalk 0-0 Bohemians

Dundalk
Injured: Keith Ward (cruciate), Chris Shields (hip)
Doubtful: John Mountney (knee)
Suspended: None

Bohemians
Injured: Stephen Traynor (ankle)
Doubtful: Ciaran Nangle (ankle), Ryan McEvoy (ankle)
Suspended: None