League Preview: Bohemians -v- Shamrock Rovers

BOHEMIANS

Bohemians host Shamrock Rovers at Dalymount Park (kick-off 7.45pm), as the first Dublin Derby of the season takes place at an important juncture for both teams. Keith Long's men have found some form and come into this game with belief they can win.

Long got the performance and result he called for last week as the Gypsies beat Bray 2-0 away from home. The players have begun to get the season back on track after a shakey start and Keith Long will be quietly confident Bohs can come away with a result.

"Our results have improved,” Long told the club's website.

“It was important that we settled as we had an indifferent start to the season. Bray was always going to be a tough game and it took us a while to get into it. But when we got going,

“I thought we put in a very solid and professional performance. We’ve back-to-back victories in the league now – including our first away from home – and kept a clean sheet in both, so our confidence is good."

Long is fully aware of how important the Dublin Derby is for the fans and he also believes his players are fully aware too. Bohs recent successes in this fixture perhaps give them an advantage, but Long is not taking that for granted one bit.

“Our record in previous games against Rovers doesn’t come into it and the clubs’ positions in the table counts for nothing coming into a derby either.

“These games are tight, tense and have often been decided on a mistake or sometimes on who wants it more. I’ve no doubt it will be a keenly-contested affair as always.”

Long must plan without Jason Caffrey, while both Mark Quigley and Jake Kelly are doubts. The experienced and versatile leader Dave Mulcahy is available again, and may have a part to play in the game.

SHAMROCK ROVERS

Rovers came away from the Brandywell shell-shocked and well beaten by Kenny Shiels' side on Friday. Pat Fenlon didn't attempt to protect his players but instead explained how disappointed he was by his team's collective performance, admitting Derry were the better team in doing so.

“We just didn't show enough guts and enough character, simple as that,” he said.

“Derry outmuscled us and outfought us and were first to every ball. We didn't show enough to be able to deal with that. That's one thing that should be given in any team.”

One would expect that the players at Shamrock Rovers will have got the message and will be fully expected to put in a much better performance in this derby game, and really it is absolutely necessary given the opponents.

Another poor performane could have big consequences for this Rovers team, while a good result and performance could do the opposite and push Rovers back into title contention again. The stakes are quite high for Fenlon and he knows how important it will be to get a result at his old employers.

Fenlon must do without left back Luke Byrne and attacker Dean Clarke once again for this away trip. In good news for Fenlon, he is able to call upon Trevor Clarke and Gary Shaw's services again, after they both missed out against Derry City.

Referee: Paul McLaughlin.

MATCH STATS

In the three meetings between the clubs last season, Bohs won the only tie at Dalymount Park 3-1. Kieran Marty Waters gave Rovers an early lead, but three goals in the final fifteen minutes, one from Derek Prendergast and two from super sub Dean Kelly gave Bohs all three points. The other two ties in Tallaght saw the sides inseperable.

The Gypsies are unbeaten in six games against Shamrock Rovers. That victory came at Dalymount Park at the very beginning of the 2014 season. Bohs have won 4 of the previous 11 league matches between the teams, including the famous 4-0 drubbing of Stephen Kenny's Rovers team in 2012.

Bohs are unbeaten in three league games so far this season – including two wins and a draw. Shamrock Rovers suffered their first away defeat of the season last week against Derry City, but otherwise have won their other two away league fixtures.

BETTING

Home 19/10; Draw 2/1; Away 6/4.

PREDICTION

Bohemian 1 – 1 Shamrock Rovers

Bohemian

Injured: Jason Caffrey (hamstring).

Doubtful: Mark Quigley (quad), Jake Kelly (virus).

Suspended: None.

Shamrock Rovers

Injured: Luke Byrne, Dean Clarke.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.