19.45 17 Apr 2015 -
Referee: Graham Kelly
League Preview: Bohemians -v- St Patrick's Athletic
- Dave Donnelly
- Thu, Apr 16 2015
BOHEMIANS
Bohemians' terrific start to the season continued last Friday as a convincing home win over Longford Town saw Keith Long's side leapfrog Shamrock Rovers and Cork City into second place.
Bohs have only lost one game all season and confidence is clearly running high throughout the team, and they've kept clean sheets in two of their three league games at Dalymount Park.
Long told the club's website: “It's important to stay on an even keel. We can’t get too high when we win and we can’t get too low when we lose. We have a grounded group, they’re a modest bunch and they know they can’t approach any game down gears. We know we always have to put in 100 per cent to get anything out of any game.
“[St Patrick's Athletic are] as good a passing side as there is in this league. We know it will be a very difficult game on Friday. We’ve got to be disciplined. We can’t be easy to play through because they have quality players with clever movement that can punish any lapse in concentration."
The return to fitness of 37-year-old Dave Mulcahy is a further positive for Long, as the former captain's vocal presence and organisational skills will surely be needed at some point against a well-drilled attacking unit.
ST PATRICK'S ATHLETIC
St Patrick's Athletic's frustrating start to the season continued on Friday night as they played out a second successive draw, as Cork City held them goalless at Richmond Park.
Pat's have struggled against their fellow top-six sides so far, losing twice and drawing twice, and they're unlikely to have it any easier as they face the last of their top-half opponents at Dalymount Park.
Playing away from home will at least afford Liam Buckley's side the opportunity to play to their strength on the counterattack, having struggled to break down a resilient but unadventurous Cork side. In front of their home fans, the onus will be on Bohemians to attack, which could make for an open game.
"Following last week's draw against Cork, we're looking forward to get back out there on the field,” Buckley told the club's website. “We played well in patches against Cork so on Friday we'll be hoping to improve our performance and put in a good 90 minutes.
"Bohs are in great form so far and have started fantastically as their second place position shows. Keith has had a great start there so we know that we'll have a very tough game on Friday in Dalymount. We've a few bodies back in training and available for selection this week so the group are focused on the game and we'll be looking to claim all three points."
There is good news for Buckley as Brendan Clarke, Greg Bolger and Jason McGuinness return from injury, while Ian Bermingham returns from suspension, however Lee Desmond misses out after picking up two yellow cards against Cork.
Referee: Graham Kelly.
MATCH STATS
Bohemians and St Patrick's Athletic met five times last season.
Pat's won twice at Richmond Park in the league either side of a 1-1 draw at Dalymount. Bohs won 3-2 at Dalymount in an EA Sports Cup tie, while Pat's won 3-2 at Richmond on their way to winning the FAI Cup.
BETTING
Bohemians 2/1; Draw 23/10; St Patrick's Athletic 13/10.
PREDICTION
Bohemians 1 - 2 St Patrick's Athletic
Bohemians
Injured: Daniel Byrne (knee).
Doubtful: Robbie Creevy.
Suspended: None.
St Patrick's Athletic
Injured: Unknown.
Doubtful: Cyril Guedjé (hamstring).
Suspended: None.