League Preview: Bohemians -v- Cork City

BOHEMIANS

Bohemians are faced with the daunting task of halting the seemingly unstoppable machine that is Cork City on Friday night (kick-off 7.45pm).

Keith Long's side have had a mixed opening their campaign with heavy defeats to Derry City and St Patrick's Athletic bookending an impressive run of ten points in four games that briefly saw them in the top four.

Last week's 2-0 loss away to Sligo Rovers was a bitter blow against a side second-from-bottom with a caretaker manager, but manager Keith Long has already seen his side surprise Bray Wanderers at Dalymount Park this year and will fancy a repeat.

“We’re playing a team with eight wins from eight games and six points clear at the top – nobody will give us a chance,” Long told the club's website.

“But we’ve seen shocks around the league most Friday nights, so we will go out in the belief that can be us.

“Our home form has been patchy and that’s something we’re looking to rectify. We know it won’t be easy but there is great determination within the group to go out and do ourselves justice.”

Long has had a long injury list to contend with this season as Dinny Corcoran and Jamie Doyle remain some weeks from fitness while Eoin Wearen is out for the season with a cruciate injury.

However there's better news in the form of striker Izzy Akinade, who has returned to light training, while Ian Morris could feature after recovering from a knee complaint.

CORK CITY

Cork City travel to Dalymount Park looking to make it nine wins from their first nine outings in the league this season.

John Caulfield's side made light work of potential title challengers Derry City at Turner's Cross on Friday night, running out comfortable 3-0 winners thanks to goals from Garry Buckley, Karl Sheppard and Sean Maguire.

The in-form Maguire has scored in seven of his eight games so far, eight goals in total, and scored both goals on his City debut against Bohs on the opening day of last season.

“We have a very strong-willed group here,” said City boss Caulfield.

“It’s very simple, you keep doing what you do every week and, if you do that, you have a chance. If you start looking too far ahead and start adding up points that aren’t there, then you run into trouble.

“For myself and the management, we are very focused and Friday’s game is the most important one for us.”

“I looked at Bohemians the other night. They lost 2-0 to Sligo and it was absolutely anything but a two-nil game. In the second half, Bohs had nine corners and Sligo had one; they were completely in control but just could not get the goal.

“At the minute, they are in a run where they are not getting results but they played very well and created chances.”

Caulfield may have to plan without Gearoid Morrissey and Stephen Dooley as they nurse minor injuries, but Greg Bolger and John Dunleavy are fit again after short lay-offs.

Referee: Ben Connolly.

MATCH STATS

Bohemians and Cork City met three times last season with the Leesiders predictably having the better of their encounters.

City won 2-0 at Turner's Cross on the opening day thanks to Sean Maguire's brace, while Garry Buckley scored the only goal in the return at Dalymount.

However the final meeting of the season, back at Turner's Cross, finished in a scoreless draw as City's title challenge began to wane.

BETTING

Bohemians 7/1; Draw 7/2; Cork City 2/5.

PREDICTION

Bohemians 0 - 3 Cork City

Bohemians

Injured: Izzy Akinade (illness), Dinny Corcoran (knee), Jamie Doyle (quad), Eoin Wearen (knee).

Doubtful: Ian Morris.

Suspended: None.

Cork City

Injured: None.

Doubtful: Geraóid Morrissey, Stephen Dooley.

Suspended: None.