19.45 18 Sep 2015 -
Referee:
League Preview: Bohemians -v- Longford Town
- Dave Donnelly
- Fri, Sep 18 2015
BOHEMIANS
Bohemians welcome Longford Town to Dalymount Park (kick-off 7.45pm) as they resume their league campaign following the enforced FAI Cup break.
Bohs secured a hard-earned 1-1 draw at Shamrock Rovers two weeks ago despite missing captain Roberto Lopes and Derek Prendergast through suspension (both come back into consideration for the visit of Longford) and will look to keep the pressure on fourth-placed St Patrick's Athletic with a victory.
Manager Keith Long, who will serve the second of a two-game suspension, told the club's website: “There are six games left, and there is a bigger picture, but our goal is to get the maximum points from the remaining games. We’ll do whatever it takes to achieve that but we’ll also have one eye on what might take shape for next season.
“Dylan [Hayes] has come into the team and done well. I was pleased how he played against Dundalk and Shamrock Rovers. We’ll take it one game at a time but I’m sure there will be opportunities for players between now and the end of the season to make a claim for next year.”
Marc Griffin, Derek Pender and Dan Byrne remain long-term injury absentees and will miss the remainder of the season, while Anto Murphy is a doubt, but Jake Kelly has returned to full fitness.
LONGFORD TOWN
Longford Town will arrive in Phibsborough high in confidence after securing an FAI Cup semi-final place with victory over Sheriff YC at City Calling Stadium last week.
The midlands club's league form has not been as consistent as their cup form, however, and just one win in their last nine league games has dragged Tony Cousins' side from midtable security back to a perilous position just four points above the relegation play-off spot.
With Limerick and Sligo Rovers in good form and both Galway United and Drogheda United showing signs of good form, Cousins will know it's imperative his side take something away from a ground at which they've already been defeated twice this year.
Cousins will be without full-back Conor Powell after he accumulated five yellow cards, but Stephen Rice returns after missing the league loss to Galway United through suspension.
Referee: Jim McKell.
MATCH STATS
Bohemians and Longford Town have met three times this season, with the Gypsies edging the encounters by two wins to Longford's one.
The club's first meeting ended in a 3-1 EA Sports Cup win for Bohemians at Dalymount Park in April, which they followed up with a 2-0 league win at the same venue three days later.
The third meeting between the sides in July saw goals from David O'Sullivan and Aymen Ben Mohamed, either side of a Keith Buckley equaliser, help Tony Cousins' side to a 2-1 victory at City Calling Stadium.
BETTING
Bohemians 4/6; Draw 11/4; Longford Town 4/1.
PREDICTION
Bohemians 2 – 2 Longford Town
Bohemians
Injured: Daniel Byrne (knee), Marc Griffin (foot), Derek Pender (ankle).
Doubtful: Anto Murphy (abdomen).
Suspended: None.
Longford Town
Injured: Unknown.
Doubtful: Unknown.
Suspended: Conor Powell.