League Preview: Bohemians -v- Cork City

• Patrick O'Connor
• Thu, Nov 02 2023




BOHEMIANS

Bohemians have gone from leading the table at the start of the season to now dropping to sixth place and hanging on by a thread for a possible top four finish and European football next season.

The route to European football via their league position is now out of their control with fourth placed Shelbourne being in pole position for that European spot and Dundalk also having come back into the frame sitting in fifth spot.

Shels have a two- point advantage over Bohs while Dundalk are on the same points total, 55, but with a better goal difference.

This race for the fourth spot has been one of the more intriguing aspects of the league this season, especially as Shamrock Rovers appeared to have the title secured a long way from the finish line.

The Gypsies do however have a Cup Final to look forward to with its own direct entry into Europe if they manage to beat St Patrick’s Athletic in the Aviva Stadium on November 12^th.

They will nevertheless be fully focussed on picking up all three points against Cork City on Friday night, while keeping an eagle eye on proceedings in Weavers Park where Shelbourne will be looking to seal their own fate with a win over Drogheda United.

The lead into this final game has been less than ideal for Declan Devine’s side as they lost their last two matches, 2-0 at home to the Saints and 2-0 away to Dundalk.

Bohs also got more bad news in that Pat’s match when they lost the experienced Keith Buckley to a long-term injury so he will miss the Cup Final and be out of action until well into 2024.

CORK CITY

Cork City will head up the M8 to Dublin on Friday for their last league game of the season knowing there is nothing at stake for them other than the salvaging of some pride and the avoidance of injuries.

Their immediate focus will be on the game taking place less than 24 hours later on their home patch in Turners Cross when Cobh Ramblers and Waterford clash in the First Division Promotion play off final (kick-off 5pm).

City will play the winners of that tie on Friday, 10 November, and the stakes in that crucial tie are very high, the winners play in the Premier Division next season, the losers play in the First Division.

The Rebels lost any hope of avoiding this scenario when they were beaten1-0 at home to Derry City last weekend whilst the only other contenders for 9^th spot on the table Sligo Rovers picked up their insurance point in a 0-0 draw at home to Drogheda.

City did get a confidence boosting 0-0 draw in their last home game on Monday, but as it was against effectively against a second-string Shamrock Rovers side who had already claimed the league title, interim manager Richie Holland will probably not read too much into the result.

Holland spoke about his approach to this game when he met the media at City’s training ground in Bishopstown this week and he said, “a few of the lads coming back from injury need minutes, there are a few more who need to get more rhythm in their game. We are also down a few numbers so there will be lads getting opportunities tomorrow and I also have to mind some fellows who have been playing on heavy pitches in the last few games.”

“I have to manage the squad so that I have everybody as fit as possible for the game next week (the Play Off final)

“The Bohs game is the next biggest game for Cork City but obviously I have to have next week’s game at the back of my mind, in terms of lads having knocks so I can’t be risking anybody to have an injury and miss out on next week.”

Referee: Neil Doyle

MATCH STATS

Cork City have only beaten Bohemians once in the last eight clashes, albeit that was in the most fixture in June when they won 2-1 at Turners Cross.

In general, Bohs have had the upper hand and given what is at stake this weekend they will be trying to emulate the 5-0 thrashing of City in their last match at Dalymount Park in May.

Goal difference may yet have a part to play in the final league placings so a repeat of that May result for Bohs will put pressure on the other contenders in the race for that fourth position.

Jordan Flores, Adam McDonnell, Ali Coote (2) and James McManus scored the five goals in that last match in Dalymount Park.

BETTING

Bohemians 1/3; Draw 7/2; Cork City 6/1

PREDICTION

Bohemians 3-0   Cork City

Bohemians 

Injured: Keith Buckley

Doubtful: None

Suspended: None

Cork City  

Injured: Kevin Custovic, Aaron Bolger

Doubtful:  None

Suspended: None