League Preview: Bohemians -v- Derry City

BOHEMIANS

Bohemians will be hoping to maintain their unbeaten start to the season when they welcome Derry City to Dalymount Park on Tuesday night (kick-off 7.45pm).

They couldn’t have asked for a better start with a 3-1 opening night victory over their Dublin rivals Shamrock Rovers in front of their own fans.

The Gypsies then travelled to Limerick last Saturday evening and scored an injury-time equaliser as the game ended 1-1.

After the game, Keith Long hailed his side’s character after going behind against the run of play.

"The character the team showed to dig out a result with a 90th-minute equaliser was really impressive,” he told the club’s official website.

"A point was the least we deserved having had the bulk of possession and looking the more likely to score throughout.”

It is a quick turnaround having only played in Limerick on Saturday night and the lack of recovery time is a concern for Long towards his players.

"We find ourselves playing Derry with 24 hours less recovery and preparation time than our opponents, who played in Sligo on Friday night with us playing down in Limerick on Saturday.

"I would like to see more of a level playing field. If there are back-to-back fixtures, they should be Friday/Monday for all teams or Saturday/Tuesday for all teams irrespective of clubs' preferred night to play home games.”

Long term absentees Ryan Swan (cruciate) and Cristian Magerusan (metatarsal) will be absent from the squad and Rob Manley (hamstring) is likely to miss out also.

Keith Ward and Kevin Devaney missed out on the trip to Limerick but are expected to be back in the squad this evening.

DERRY CITY

Derry City have opened their campaign with two away defeats against both Sligo and Waterford and will look to get their first points on the board this evening.

Under the watchful eye of Kenny Shiels, the Candystripes have won the last seven meetings between the sides at the Dublin venue but he knows he will be up against it this evening against a side that are growing in confidence game by game.

The Derry City boss told reporters: "There's no point making excuses, we just haven't been good enough so far.

“We do have a good record down there but they are one of the top sides in the league.  What has gone on in the past will count for very little on Tuesday night."

Armin Aganovic and Conor McDermott picked up knocks over the weekend and will miss the game for Derry.

Referee: Derek Tomney

MATCH STATS

Bohemians are unbeaten so far this season with four points from a possible six so far and sit second in the table.

Derry City have opened with two defeats and sit bottom of the table heading for Dalymount Park on Tuesday night.

Derry have a very impressive recent record from their away fixture with Bohs and under Kenny Shiels have won the last seven meetings between the two sides.

BETTING

Bohemians 6/4; Draw 21/10; Derry 15/8

PREDICTION

Bohemians 2-0 Derry City

Bohemians

Injured: Ryan Swan ( cruciate), Cristian Magerusan (metatarsal), Rob Manley (hamstring).

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

Derry City

Injured: Armin Aganovic, Conor McDermott, Gavin Peers, Jamie McIntyre, John Cofie.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.