League Preview: Bohemians -v- UCD

BOHEMIANS

Bohemians go in search of their first league win in almost a month as they welcome UCD to Dalymount Park (kick-off 7.45pm - buy tickets here).

Defeat to Finn Harps two weeks ago saw the Gypsies slip behind Derry City into fourth place on goal difference.

Harry Ascroft’s thunderbolt after just eight minutes proved the difference as Harps ran out 1-0 winners at Finn Park two weeks ago.

Manager Keith Long was less than satisfied with his side’s FAI Cup performance at home to Shelbourne last week as they trailed 2-0 with eight minutes remaining.

The sending-off of Shels’ Jaze Kabia proved decisive as a goal from Keith Buckley and two from Danny Mandroiu earned Bohs an unlikely comeback victory.

Nevertheless, Bohs will need to play an awful lot better than they did in either of those games if they’re to make it three wins from four over the Students.

"We're under no illusions going into any game that we have to be at it,” full-back Andy Lyons told the club’s website.

“We lost to them out in the Bowl and even when they came to Dalymount the last time they gave us a really good game in the first half.

"They've already beaten us so will feel confident again so we have to be at our very best."

Captain Derek Pender serves the final game of a suspension for his role in the post-match melée the last time the sides met at the UCD Bowl.

Dinny Corcoran and Cristian Magerusan are out and James Finnerty is a doubt, but Rob Cornwall, Kevin Devaney and Ryan Swan are all fit once more.

UCD

UCD will look to make it back-to-back wins over Bohemians as they make the short trip north of the Liffey to Dalymount Park.

Yoyo Mahdy’s early strike saw the Students to a much-needed win over the Gypsies when they faced in Belfield last month, a result subsequently upgraded to a 3-0 win.

Collie O’Neill’s side have lost each of their three league games since then, however, and looked to be going the same way in the FAI Cup last Sunday.

After going behind to an early strike from ex-Finn Harps striker BJ Banda, College eventually pulled away to defeat Letterkenny Rovers 5-2 to book a second-round spot.

O’Neill is wary of a reaction from a hurt Bohs side, and will be without keeper Conor Kearns as he serves the fourth of a six-game ban for his role in the post-match fracas.

“Regardless of what happened last time Dalymount is never an easy place to go to,” he told extratime.ie.

“They had a good win on Friday night against Shels and they’ll be looking to continue that good momentum they have.

“It’s still going to be a tough game and we have some suspensions which makes it even extra tougher for us so it’s a challenge, but we need to get some points.”

Jack Keaney also serves a one-game ban following his sending-off against Derry City. Evan Osam, Josh Collins and Sean McDonald are all out while Mark Dignam is a doubt.

Referee: Rob Rogers.

MATCH STATS

The sides have met three times so far this season, with Bohemians winning twice and UCD once.

The first two meetings went Bohs’ way, a 2-0 win at the UCD Bowl following up by a 3-0 win at Dalymount Park.

The latest meeting in UCD finished 1-0 thanks to Yoyo Mahdy’s strike, but was upgraded to a 3-0 win after Bohs were found to have played a suspended Danny Mandroiu.

In all three games so far, the losing side has failed to find the scoresheet.

BETTING

Bohemians 2/9; Draw 4/1; UCD 17/2.

PREDICTION

Bohemians 2 – 0 UCD

Bohemians

Injured: Dinny Corcoran (ankle), Cristian Magerusan (knee).

Doubtful: James Finnerty (calf).

Suspended: .

UCD

Injured: Josh Collins, Sean McDonald, Evan Osam.

Doubtful: Mark Dignam.

Suspended: Jack Keaney, Conor Kearns.