Credit: Martin Doherty (ETPhotos)
League Preview: Bohemians -v- Dundalk
- Dave Donnelly
- Wed, Jul 05 2017
BOHEMIANS
Bohemians host Dundalk at Dalymount Park on Wednesday night (kick-off 7.45pm) in a game moved forward 48 hours to facilitate the Lilywhites' preparations for next week's Champions League tie with Rosenborg.
Victory over the champions could see the Gypsies move above Limerick and Derry City into fifth position as Keith Long's side continue to punch about their weight.
Bohs will be well-rested after last Friday's scheduled league game away to Cork City was postponed due to City's European exertions.
In lieu of that game, Bohs played a low-key friendly with AUL Premier A side Kilbarrack United, winning 5-0 thanks to four from Steo Donnelly, a new recruit from another Premier A side, Usher Celtic.
Striker Izzy Akinade made his first competitive appearance in a year as he was introduced during injury time in the 2-0 win over Sligo Rovers two weeks ago, and he started in Kilbarrack.
Eoin Wearen remains a long-term absentee with a cruciate ligament injury and Dan Byrne is suspended, while Georgie Poynton is ineligible due to the terms of his loan, however Dylan Hayes is available again following his three-game ban.
DUNDALK
Dundalk look to make it five wins from five as they make their second trip to Greater Dublin in the space of six days.
The Lilywhites ran out easy 3-0 winners over troubled Bray Wanderers at the Carlisle Grounds on Friday thanks to a Robbie Benson brace and a goal from Patrick McEleney.
Benson gave Dundalk the lead with less than two minutes on the clock and added his second midway through the half before McEleney wrapped it up in the second half.
“It was a tough game last Friday in Bray,” Benson told the club's official website.
“It’s a difficult game for us, they are doing well in the league and we knew going down there that we wouldn’t get it easy so we are happy to get the win.
“We knew coming back after the break that we would have five games before Europe. We’re four games into it now and we won them all – so we’re right where we want to be.
“Bohs will be a tough fixture. They’re on a good run of form recently and I think they’ll be happy with how their seasons going.
“They gave us a good game here at Oriel Park and it took us a while to break them down. Hopefully we can give a good account of ourselves and pick up another three points.”
Manager Stephen Kenny will be without Conor Clifford, who has an achilles injury, while captain Stephen O'Donnell is a doubt with a hamstring complaint.
New signing Dylan Connolly may come into contention following his transfer from Bray.
Referee: Neil Doyle.
MATCH STATS
Dundalk have won the last four meetings between the sides, including all three league fixtures last year, sealing the title in the final meeting at Oriel Park in October.
The sides have met once this season, with goals from David McMillan and Michael Duffy helping the Lilywhites to a comfortable 2-0 win at Oriel Park in April.
Bohs' last win over Dundalk was a Leinster Senior Cup game last season as a Kurtis Byrne hat-trick helped them to a 4-3 win on their way to lifting the trophy.
The Gypsies' last league win over the champions came at Oriel Park, when an og from Gary Rogers and a Dave Mulcahy strike earned a 2-1 win in 2015.
BETTING
Bohemians 13/2; Draw 10/3; Dundalk 4/9.
PREDICTION
Bohemians 0 – 3 Dundalk
Bohemians
Injured: Eoin Wearen (knee).
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: Dan Byrne.
Unavailable: Georgie Poynton.
Dundalk
Injured: Conor Clifford (achilles).
Doubtful: Stephen O'Donnell (hamstring).
Suspended: None.
