League Preview: Bohemians -v- Wexford Youths

• Billy Smith
• Fri, Mar 18 2016




BOHEMIANS

The Gypsies will be hoping they can bounce back from a poor 3-0 loss to St. Pats on Monday night. They host a Wexford side yet to pick up any points this season and the home side will have to face them without their influential forward Ismahil Akinade, who was sent off on Monday.

 

Bohemians manager Keith Long was not happy in the slightest with his side’s performance on Monday, speaking to bohemianfc.com he said “It was extremely disappointing. It was a very poor performance and they were bad goals to concede.”

 

The Bohemians defence has not looked very solid this season and Long is working on his side regaining the same sort of defensive performances they showed last season.

 

“We’ve got to tighten up both individually and collectively. We have to play to our strengths, become difficult to play against again and stop giving away soft goals.” 

 

Although Wexford haven't won yet this season, Long isn't taking that for granted and expecting an easy win against the newly promoted side. 

 

“They're a good side and have been playing together under Shane Keegan for a few years now. They're improving and only lost by the odd goal against Dundalk on Monday.”

 

 

WEXFORD YOUTHS

Wexford Youths travel up to play Bohemians this Friday night and after three consecutive losses they will be hoping they can put some points on the board for the first time this season.

 

Wexford come in to this game off the back of a 2-1 loss to Champions Dundalk, a game which they will feel hard done by not to have gotten a result from. Stephen Last equalised for The Youths in the last 10 minutes only for Ciaran Kilduff to score the winner a few moments later for the Champions.

 

Wexford manager Shane Keegan has been very pleased with his side’s performances even if they aren't matching the points tally they deserve. 

 

Speaking about the Dundalk and Shamrock Rovers games, Keegan told wexfordyouthsfc.ie "They were two of the best performances the lads have ever given me. I'm very proud of the performances the lads are giving me at the minute and I'm sure they'll get the bit of luck their application deserves in the coming games”

 

Wexford will be without the injured Shane Dunne, Peter Higgins and Aidan Keenan again this week.

 

Referee: James McKell

 

 

MATCH STATS

This will be only the second time the two sides have met in competition - the first was in 2009 in the EA Sports Cup when Bohemians won 2-1.

 

Wexford Youths will travel to play Bohemians for the first time competitively in Dalymount Park.

 

Both sides have only scored once in the opening three matches of the season.

 

 

BETTING

Bohemians 4/5; Draw 5/2; Wexford Youths 10/3.

 

PREDICTION

Bohemians 1-1 Wexford Youths

 

 

Bohemians

Injured: None

Doubtful: Anto Murphy, Stephen Best, Eoin Wearen, Lorcan Fitzgerald

Suspended: Ismahil Akinade 

 

Wexford Youths

Injured: Shane Dunne, Peter Higgins, Aidan Keenan

Doubtful: Ryan Delaney

Suspended: None