League Preview: Bohemians - v - Sligo Rovers

BOHEMIANS

Bohs will feel they got off on the wrong foot last Friday as a firm and decisive 2-0 loss in Cork saw the Gypsies sink to their first loss of the new campaign, with both goals coming in the space of ten minutes against Cork City.

A miserable night for those in black and red was made worse when midfielder Roberto Lopes was sent off by referee Neil Doyle for a second bookable offence for a foul on Stephen Dooley in the second half.

Keith Long’s side dispelled their form of recent years and began 2015 strongly with a string of consistent performances which saw them keep six clean sheets en route to five wins from their opening seven league matches.

They forced an unwanted bookend upon themselves last Friday night however, ending 2015 with a loss to Cork City at Turner’s Cross and beginning 2016 with the same outcome at the same venue. However manager Long is confident his side can regain their form of the first half of last season when they welcome back their home supporters to Dalymount Park on Friday.

“It's been a long off-season and it's our first home game,” said Long speaking to bohemianfc.com. “Supporters have been waiting for Friday night football at Dalymount Park for months now.”

“We know we're not the finished article yet. We are still integrating new signings and we're looking to improve."

Friday’s opponents too suffered a 2-0 loss away at home to Shamrock Rovers having finished the game with nine men. The Bohs boss expects the unknown from Dave Robertson’s Bit O’Red come Friday night’s lights in north Dublin.

“With so many new players having signed from England, Sligo are something of an unknown quantity this season”, said Long.

 
“We went to watch them on Saturday and they were somewhat unlucky to lose by two goals having had two players sent off. They've good players and played well, but we have identified areas we hope to exploit too.”

He will have no players unavailable on account of injury for Friday, however Roberto Lopes will remain absent serving a one match ban.
 

 
SLIGO ROVERS

Sligo Rovers were themselves heavily set back on account of red cards last Saturday night after both Craig Roddan and Kieran Sadlier were sent off in their 2-0 loss to Shamrock Rovers at the Showgrounds.

Goals, featuring an outrageous free-kick from Brandon Miele, as well as a neat finish from former Sligo player Danny North sank the Bit O’Red in front of a pleasing 3,068 strong crowd.

The last meeting of Sligo Rovers and Bohemians produced a 2-0 win for the Gypsies thanks to goals from Ismahil Akinade and Anto Murphy while last year’s meeting at Dalymount Park produced a 1-0 win for the hosts thanks again to the goalscoring exploits of Akinade.

Manager Dave Robertson said he feels his squad won’t have any issues coping with his two suspended players for the match: “We have other players waiting to come in. It gives an opportunity now for the squad to be used”, he said speaking before Friday’s game.

“Bohs are in a similar situation with Roberto Lopes being suspended so it’s the same for both teams.”

He continued that if the team can perform in a similar way as against the Hoops that they will give themselves every chance of success this year.

“I definitely think that if we can put in a similar performance to Shamrock Rovers then we can win the game. There was lots of positives in that performance and there has been a lot of things that we have taken from it.

“We move forward now from it and the players have bounced back with a tremendous attitude in training all week.”

Nine new faces made their debut for a new-look Sligo Rovers last week. Manager Robertson will be without the suspended pairing of Roddan and Sadlier for Friday night’s game, but will welcome back Phil Roberts and Jaanai Gordon who both went off injured during their league opener against Shamrock Rovers last Saturday.

Referee: Graham Kelly

MATCH STATS

This will be the 75th time Sligo Rovers make the trip to Dalymount Park to face Bohemians – their highest-visited venue. The first came in 1934 which saw a 2-1 win for the Bit O’Red.

Bohemians conceded only 5 goals in their opening 10 Premier Division games last season, with Dean Delaney amassing seven clean sheets in that time.

Sligo Rovers failed to win a league game until week 7 last season; losing four and drawing two of their opening six Premier Division games before a 1-0 win versus Galway United at Eamonn Deacy Park on April 10.

BETTING

Bohemians 21/20; Draw 11/5; Sligo Rovers 5/2.

PREDICTION

Bohemians 1-1 Sligo Rovers

Bohemians

Injured: None.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: Roberto Lopes

Sligo Rovers

Injured: None.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: Craig Roddan, Kieran Sadlier