League Preview: Bohemians -v- Dundalk

Georgie Kelly heads the ball in Bohs' 5-1 win over Dundalk last May

Georgie Kelly heads the ball in Bohs' 5-1 win over Dundalk last May Credit: Eddie Lennon (ETPhotos)

BOHEMIANS

The Gypsies come into Friday’s clash in fifth place, just three points above the Lilywhites.

Following their impressive European exploits in the summer, Bohs league form has stuttered somewhat in the last few weeks.

Since exiting the Europa Conference League qualifiers, Bohs have won three in their last seven, while Derry City and Dundalk amongst the chasing pack have picked up good results. 

Back-to-back defeats against Finn Harps and Dundalk were followed by a comprehensive win over doomed Longford Town.

Georgie Kelly scored a brace that night and is running away with this season's golden boot with 18 goals so far.

The Donegal man also picked up his second player of the month award this week. 

Kelly spoke to the media earlier in the week, as he claimed his player of the month award. 

“To pick up the SSE Airtricity/Soccer Writers Ireland award for the second time is unexpected,” Kelly said.

“It’s four in a row now for Bohs, which is an incredible achievement. The team is focused on getting into Europe. We’ve eight league games left so the emphasis will be on performance and picking up results, starting with Dundalk on Friday.”



DUNDALK

The Lilywhites arrive at Dalymount Park in great form, having won four of their last five games, including a 3-1 FAI Cup quarter-final win over Finn Harps. Vinny Perth’s side recorded an impressive 1-0 victory over Champions-elect Shamrock Rovers last weekend. 

Sean Murray’s first half strike earned all three points, as Dundalk seek to escape any potential relegation battle as the season draws to a close. Premier Division survival is key if Dundalk are to hold onto their critical players over the winter, following the news that Michael Duffy and Patrick McEleney will join Derry City next season.

Dundalk have been without Raivis Jurkovskis and Sonni Nattestad who have been on international duty for Latvia and Faroe Islands respectively. Jurkovskis played two games in four days for his country this week, losing 1-0 to Holland before a last-minute winner denied Latvia a draw versus Turkey. 

Nattestad also played 180 minutes in Faroe Islands’ defeats to Austria and Scotland. Wilfred Zahibo missed out on a Central African Republic call up last week due to injury 

This is Dundalk’s last league match before they face St. Patrick’s Athletic in the FAI Cup semi-final next Friday.



Vinny Perth spoke to RTE last week following their impressive win over Shamrock Rovers, “There’s two competitions given out this year. Rovers are champions elect, hopefully Pat’s push them for the league title,” Perth said.

"And then the other one is the FAI Cup. We’re one of four teams, but if we keep performing like that we’ll go close.”

Scottish midfielder Sam Stanton also spoke to Dundalk’s media team in the run up to their visit to Dalymount Park. “We’ve been on a good run recently and it was really important for us to pick up the win tonight to keep that momentum going,” Stanton said.

“We’re always just trying to concentrate on the next game, and we need to keep doing that to get ourselves up the table and further away from that bottom two but tonight was another great result and it’s always nice to get the three points in a big game like that.”

Referee: Damien McGraith.

MATCH STATS 

In their three previous league meetings this year, the Gypsies have won twice while the Lilywhites have won once. In April, a first half Georgie Kelly penalty was the difference in Oriel Park, while in May, Bohemians recorded their biggest win of the season in a 5-1 win. 

A Kelly hat-trick against his former club helped Bohs to the victory as both sides finished with ten men. Last month, goals from Sam Stanton and Patrick Hoban earned all three points for Dundalk in Oriel Park. 

Bohemians have won one of their last four home games, while tonight's visitors are winless in their last six away games.

BETTING

Bohemians 4/5; Draw 13/5; Dundalk 3/1

PREDICTION

Bohemians 2 - 2 Dundalk 

Bohemians

Injured: n/a

Doubtful: n/a

Suspended: n/a

Dundalk

Injured: Brian Gartland, Patrick McEleney.

Doubtful: Will Patching

Suspended: Raivis Jurkovskis, Cameron Dummigan.

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