19.45 10 Mar 2015 -
Referee: Adriano Reale
EA Sports Cup Preview: Bohemians -v- Athlone Town
- Aaron Gallagher
- Mon, Mar 09 2015
BOHEMIANS FC
Bohemians go into Tuesday's fixture on the back of a comprehensive 3-0 victory away to Limerick FC in their opening game of the Airtricity League campaign and will be looking to build upon that result with another win over Athlone.
A good cup run coupled with a mid-table finish would be a desirable finish for the Gypsies this season and picking up where they left off at the weekend is to be expected on Tuesday.
ATHLONE TOWN
Following relegation from the Airtricity League last season Athlone will prioritise gaining promotion in the forthcoming season with manager Eddie Wallace likely to rest some key players during cup games.
The Town were denied an opening day win at the start of their latest stint in the First Division on Friday night as a 94th minute Shane Nolan goal gave Waterford a share of the spoils at the Regional Sports Centre.
Athlone lost many prominent members of their squad to Tuesday's opponents Bohemians in the off-season with former boss Keith Long bringing Derek Prendergast, Kealan Dillon, James O’Brien, Dylan Hayes and Kealan Dillon with him to Dalymount Park during the off season.
Referee:Adriano Reale
MATCH STATS
These sides have played each other three times in the past twelve months, with Bohemians winning one and the other two ending in draws.
Bohemians reached the semi-finals of the EA Sports Cup last season, beating UCD and St. Patrick's Athletic on the on route before being dismissed 2-1 by losing finalists Shamrock Rovers at Tallaght Stadium.
Current Bohemians manager Keith Long is facing his previous employer in this fixture as the current Gypsies boss managed opponents Athlone Town last season following the dismissal of Mick Cooke. Long won four and drew ten of his 23 league fixtures following ten straight defeats under Cooke.
BETTING
Bohemians 4/6, Athlone 7/2, Draw 12/5
PREDICTION
Bohemians 2-0 Athlone Town
Bohemians
Injured: Unknown
Doubtful: Unknown
Suspended:Conor Murphy
Athlone Town
Injured: Unknown
Doubtful: Unknown
Suspended: None
About Aaron Gallagher
Aaron is a Dublin-based freelance writer currently studying journalism at Dublin City University. You can follow more of his work on Twitter @AaronGallagher8