League Preview: Bohemians -v- Longford Town

BOHEMIANS

Bohemians will look to make it two home wins on the bounce when they welcome Longford Town to Dalymount Park on Friday night (kick-off 7.45pm).

Keith Long's side put the disappointment of successive losses to Dundalk and Galway United behind them with a scrappy 1-0 win over Wexford Youths on Monday evening.

And they'll be confident of repeating the trick against another relegation troubled side in front of their expectant fans, although Long warns an improvement is necessary.

“It was an ugly win,” Long told Extratime.ie after the Wexford game.

“We want to play the game in the right manner, we want to play fast, attractive football, but we can't always do that.

“The first goal is so important in this league – if you get your noses in front, in terms of the percentages and the stats we have, you tend to win games.

“I was pleased tonight to get the win and hopefully we can follow it up with a good performance and the right result on Friday against Longford.”

Long will definitely be without Ismahil Akinade, who is likely to miss the remainder of the campaign, while Shane Supple is a doubt with a groin injury, however Stephen Best returns after missing the Wexford game due to a problem with his braces.

LONGFORD TOWN

Longford Town finally shook a particularly troublesome monkey from their collective back on Saturday when they beat Finn Harps, their first league win since the opening day.

New manager Alan Mathews is in no doubt about the challenge they face if they're to make up the six-point gap to Wexford above them, but will have noted how competitive Youths were on Monday.

“It's really important that we build on last weeks result against Finn Harps,” Matthews told the club's website.

“Bohs have an excellent group of players who no doubt will be looking for another top six finish. It's going to be a tough challenge for us.”

Mathews will be without long-term injury absentee Cody Mulhall but Noel Haverty returns to leave the Dubliner with an otherwise full deck from which to choose.

Referee: Graham Kelly.

MATCH STATS

The teams have already played twice this season, Bohs winning on both occasions without conceding a goal as they followed up a 2-0 win at Dalymount with a 1-0 victory at City Calling Stadium.

Last season the sides met on four occasions: a 3-1 home win saw Bohs through to the third round of the EA Sports Cup, while home wins were traded at Dalymount and City Calling before the final game ended in a draw in Phibsborough.

BETTING

Bohemians 8/13; Draw 11/4; Longford Town 4/1.

PREDICTION

Bohemians 1 - 0 Longford Town

Bohemians

Injured: Ismahil Akinade (illness).

Doubtful: Shane Supple (groin).

Suspended: None.

Longford Town

Injured: Cody Mulhall (knee).

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.