League Preview: Bohemians -v- Shamrock Rovers

BOHEMIANS

The third Dublin derby of the season, and possibly the last at Dalymount before it is renovated, is on the menu as Bohemians host Shamrock Rovers in what promises to be a feisty affair.

One win in their last six games in the league. Two goals scored in that time.

It is fair to say the Gypsies are not having the best of times over the last while, with goals being a big problem for the Phibsboro club.

Their two main strikers have been missing in that period, Ishmahil Akinade and Dinny Corcoran, so that obviously doesn’t help things.

Last week the trend of scoring no goals continued as Derry City succumbed Bohs to a 2-0 defeat at Maginn Park. Goals in each half from Dean Jarvis and Aaron McEneff meant Derry followed up their opening night win against Bohs with another 3 points.

The Derry result would be acceptable if they had a go at their backline and maybe scored but they didn’t threat at all and were completely inept in front of goal.

It is worrying times for the Gypsies but, with top scorer Corcoran back fit after a long layoff, the fans may see goals coming from a striker for the first time since March 17^th against Galway.

It is no coincidence that Bohs have struggled for goals with the absence of Corcoran so boss Keith Long will be a relieved man coming into the second game of the second series of games.

Their midfield of Oscar Brennan, Georgie Poynton and Fuad Sule may have the youth, dynamism and fitness to overrun the Rovers midfield, who traditionally play with two in the middle.

Sule in particular has been a relavation in the defensive midfield role, although he hasn't started either of the past two games, and will want to put in another solid performance in a high-profile game to alert any potential suitors.

If Bohs can just start sticking the ball in the back of the net, they can be a tough game for anybody in the league so their fans will hope it starts tonight against their arch rivals.

Bohs continue to do without striker Izzy Akinade as he recovers from an illness that required him to have his spleen removed while Eoin Wearen is out for the season with a cruciate ligament injury.

SHAMROCK ROVERS

“We have to aim for Bray."

That was the sentence that came from Stephen Bradley’s mouth in the post-match interview after the 2-1 win over Dundalk last Friday night.

Last Friday night, Shamrock Rovers began the second series of games with a dominating performance and a victory which counted as revenge over the three-in-a-row Champions after losing by the same score-line on the opening night.

Goals from midfield duo Ronan Finn and David McAllister in the first half meant Nicklas Vemmelund’s looping header in the fifth added minute was in vain for the Lilywhites.

The only negative from an otherwise perfect performance was that ex-Lilywhite Darren Meehan was sent off for the Hoops in the dying moments for a blatant dive.

"Cork, to be fair to them, are flying, but Bray is our target now. We need to go and win as many games as we can,” said Bradley.

“In the last round of games we didn't pick up as many points as we should have, we know that as a group but we are already three points better off so we need to kick on" Bradley added.

His mind already turned to Friday's cross-city trip to face Bohemians.

"It’s a derby in the next one, it will be a massive crowd with everyone up for it. After a big win like that (Dundalk), you want to follow it up with a big game, and the derby is the one.

“The lads know how big the game is and we'll be ready to go. We've spoken about going and putting a little run together. The next thing we need to look at is putting back-to-back wins together and build from that. Friday is a chance for us to start doing that.”

“There's no point in doing what we did against Dundalk and then not showing up against Bohs so we've got to continue that into the game. We need to make sure that we're at it, mentally and physically, I think if we do that the result will look after itself."

On the injury and suspension front, Bradley shared some negative news:

“Mikey O'Connor is back in. He's trained really well and it's good to have him back around the squad. Hopefully now he can push on and get a run of games and show people what he can do. Ryan Connolly (foot) is making good progress but he's still a bit away.

“Paul Corry (knee) is struggling; he pulled out of training during the week. We'll have to wait and see how he is over the next week to ten days, it's just unfortunate the way he's got that knock."

On the Hoops fans, Bradley was in complementary mood when discussing them in his pre-match press conference, saying:

"I've said it from day one; the fans have shown great support to us, the players and the staff. You see it on the pitch, you feel that support coming onto the pitch and it can really help you throughout the game.

“I know they were frustrated with one or two of the games that we lost and that's totally understandable, but they've stayed with us, and again on Friday night they showed up in their numbers and were behind us.

“We always bring a really big away support to Dalymount so I don't think it'll be any different.

"We know we are not a million miles away from putting a run together and hopefully the win was the start of something.”

Hoops fan will hang on to that quote for the rest of the season, and hope it starts off by beating their city rivals in their own backyard.

MATCH FACTS

Both sides have met each other competitively at Dalymount Park 122 times; Bohemians winning 40 times to Rovers’ 50. There has been 32 draws.

There has been average of 2.2 goals in this fixture.

Bohemians have found the net a measly 10 times in the league this season, the joint lowest along with Galway.

The Gypsies have won only one game in their last five in the league, a 2-0 home win vs Finn Harps on April 28th.

Rovers have yet to beat a team by more than one goal so far this season.

Roberto Lopes, Bohs' vice-captain last year and scorer of the only goal in the last league game at Dalymount and left back Luke Byrne, recently back from injury, travel back to their old employers.

Hoops fullback Simon Madden will make his 111^th consecutive league appearance against Bohemians.

Referee: Paul McLaughlin

MATCH BETTING

Bohemians 11/4; Draw 12/5; Shamrock Rovers Evens.

PREDICTION

Bohemians 1-1 Shamrock Rovers

Bohemians

Injured: Eoin Wearan (knee), Ishmahil Akinade (illness).

Doubtful: Unavailable.

Suspended: None.

Shamrock Rovers

Injured: Ryan Connolly (Foot), Paul Corry (Knee).

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: Darren Meenan.