League Preview: Cork City -v- Bohemians

CORK CITY

Cork City have had a mixed start to the season picking up just seven points from a possible fifteen so far as they prepare to welcome an unbeaten Bohemians side to Turner’s Cross on Friday night (kick-off 7.45pm)

Results in the last two weeks show that they are starting to find their groove again slowly but surely with a tough three points away to Finn Harps last Friday night following a well-earned point against Derry City two weeks ago.

Tonight will be a real test against a well drilled Bohemians side who will arrive in Cork with confidence high as a result of their hugely positive start to the season.

Speaking to the media ahead of the game, John Caulfield said he is expecting a tough evening and anything they take from the game will be well earned.

“Bohs are very solid. They’ve done a lot of work on their shape and are much more defensive. You can see that they’ve only conceded one goal. I think their plan is to keep it tight and hit us on the counter attack, also playing off set pieces. 

“From our own point of view, it’s no different to any other team coming down here. We have to make sure we can kick on from last Friday night. We need to open up the play and create chances.

“They have attracted a lot of young Irish players back from England. They’ve (James) Finnerty in at centre back with (Rob) Cornwall, (Conor) Levingston in the middle of the park with (Keith) Buckley.

“They’ve got the older heads of Dinny Corcoran and Keith Ward- guys who’ve been around, and they have also brought in Ward-Slater, so they’ve got a lot of players who are very talented and looking for game time.”

BOHEMIANS

Bohemians will travel to Cork with confidence high and hoping to continue their unbeaten start to the season when they go into battle with Cork City this evening.

Keith Long’s side are one of just two teams who remain unbeaten after five league games with Dundalk also yet to lose a league game.

The Gypsies have really tightened things up at the back and have really settled with their back five having conceded just one goal in their opening five league games, at home to Derry City from the penalty spot last Friday night.

Their solid early season form has them occupying second place ahead of tonight’s fixtures, just two points behind Dublin rivals Shamrock Rovers at the top of the table.

Keith Long will welcome back experienced midfielder Keith Buckley but Dinny Corcoran remains a doubt with a groin injury.

Michael Barker comes back into contention having played in the Leinster Senior Cup game against Shelbourne on Monday night. Kevin Devaney has returned to training but won’t be risked this evening.

Referee: Robert Hennessy

MATCH STATS

Bohs are one of just two teams in the league that still remain unbeaten five games into the season with Dundalk being the other.

Ahead of this week’s fixtures, Bohs occupy second place in the table on eleven points with Cork City currently sitting in seventh on seven points, both after five games.

BETTING

Cork City 8/11; Draw 5/2; Bohemians 7/2

PREDICTION

Cork City 1-1 Bohemians

Cork City

Injured: Matthew Gillam,

Doubtful: Karl Sheppard, Sean McLoughlin, Alan Bennett, Gearoid Morrissey

Suspended: None

Bohemians

Injured:

Doubtful: Dinny Corcoran

Suspended: None

Unavailable: Aaron Barry (unable to play against his parent club)