15.00 5 Sep 2015 -
Referee:
League Preview: Shamrock Rovers -v- Bohemians
- Josh Dolan
- Sat, Sep 05 2015
SHAMROCK ROVERS
Shamrock Rovers entertain Bohemians at Tallaght Stadium at 3pm this Saturday afternoon.
The Tallaght outfit have found it difficult against the Gypsies this season, drawing 0-0 at the South Dublin venue earlier on in the season, before succumbing to a 3-1 defeat at Dalymount Park in June.
Hoops boss Pat Fenlon will be looking to bounce straight back after his side’s 2-0 defeat to league leaders Dundalk on Tuesday night when Keith Long’s side make the trip to South Dublin.
Fenlon’s men have had mixed fortunes when charging into battle against those positioned around them in the league table, as defeats to Dundalk and St Patrick’s Athletic in recent weeks have been made bearable for the Hoops faithful by the encouraging 3-0 win over second placed Cork City at Tallaght Stadium late last month.
Following Saturday’s game Rovers will have just six games to secure European football next season, a fate that will be met once Fenlon’s charges can maintain third position ahead of Dublin rivals St Patrick’s Athletic.
The Hoops reported a clean bill of health with the exception of long term absentee Sean O’Connor for the trip to Dundalk and with no further updates or evident injuries ahead of Saturday’s derby we expect that the same players will be available.
BOHEMIANS
Bohs boss Keith Long watched his side play in an encouraging manner as the Gypsies drew 2-2 with league champions Dundalk last Friday.
Long’s men lead twice in the game following goals from Keith Buckley and Ismahil Akinade, however a stoppage time strike from Richie Towel was enough to deny Bohs all three points.
This Saturday at Tallaght Stadium Long will be looking for a similar performance as he looks to make up ground on struggling St Patrick’s Athletic who lie nine points ahead of the Phibsboro side in 4th.
After Saturday’s game the Gypsies will only have to face opposition above them in the table on two more occasions, when Dublin rivals St Pat’s and last season’s runners up Cork City visit Dalymount Park.
In team news, Dan Byrne, Derek Pender and Marc Griffin are unlikely to return, as they continue to recover from long term injuries. Defensive duo Roberto Lopes and Derek Prendergast miss out through suspension after picking up five yellow cards each; while manager Keith Long will have to watch from the stands after his angry outburst following his side’s controversial Irish Daily Mail FAI Cup exit at the hands of Bray Wanderers a couple of weeks ago saw him handed a two match touchline ban.
Referee: Davd McKeon
MATCH STATS
Bohemians have conceded 23 goals on the road in the Premier Division this season, only Sligo and Limerick have conceded more.
Bohs have only failed to score on two occasions in the Premier Division since the mid-season break.
A defeat for Shamrock Rovers on Saturday would see them succumb to back-to-back defeats for the first time in the league this season.
BETTING
Shamrock Rovers 8/15; Draw 14/5; Bohemians 11/2.
PREDICTION
Shamrock Rovers 1-1 Bohemians
Shamrock Rovers
Injured: Sean O’Conor.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: None.
Bohemians
Injured: Dan Byrne, Marc Griffin, Derek Pender.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: Roberto Lopes, Derek Prendergast, Keith Long.
.
About Josh Dolan
Josh Dolan is one of our Dublin based reporters, who also helps out with Extratime.ie’s administration tasks.
Josh, who was recommended to us by fellow reporters, joined the site as a teenager …