TONIGHT’S LEAGUE OF IRELAND PREVIEWS
BOHEMIANS v DROGHEDA UNITED (Dalymount Park, 7.45) Team news: Boost for Bohs as influential captain Jordan Flores returns from suspension, defender Luke Matheson is assessed. Drogheda recall Luke Heeney after a ban but Andrew Wogan, Andrew Quinn and Evan Weir are concerns. Talking point: United are on a fourgame unbeaten run but also need to turn draws into wins. After a barren spell they’ve found a scoring touch of late but their record in Dalymount – one league win in nine years – is a negative. Ref: Gavin Colfer Odds: Bohs 3/4, Drogs 10/3, draw 13/5 Verdict: Home win
DERRY CITY v SHAMROCK ROVERS (Ryan McBride Brandywell, 7.45) Team news: City await the return of Pat Hoban, Sadou Diallo, Patrick McEleney and Cameron Dummigan. Rovers are still missing Lee Grace, Jordan McEneff, Neil Farugia, Seán Hoare and Jack Byrne. Seán Kavanagh and Rory Gaffney face fitness tests. Talking point: Rovers are unbeaten in the last three league games in Derry. Derry’s defensive lapses – one clean sheet in five – are a concern and despite injury woes, Rovers have experience from veterans like Aaron Greene and Graham Burke to get the win. Ref: Paul McLaughlin Odds: Derry 6/4, Rovers 9/5, draw 21/10 Verdict: Away win
GALWAY UNITED v SHELBOURNE (Eamon Deacy Park, 7.45) Team news: Regan Donelon is United’s major concern. Shels assess Mark Coyle after an injury in last week’s derby loss. Talking point: One goal scored in six is an obvious issue for Galway but their ability to hold a clean sheet gives them a platform to earn a draw as Shels look for a first win in four games, a disadvantage for the Reds with no away fans allowed due to fireworks issues. Ref: Damien MacGraith Odds: Galway 7/5, Shels 21/10, draw 19/10 Verdict: Draw
ST PAT’S ATHLETIC v WATERFORD (Richmond Park, 7.45) Team news: Saints men Tom Grivosti and Axel Sjoberg are out, Kieran Freeman and Ryan McLaughlin are close to full fitness. Waterford’s Ryan Burke is suspended, Barry Baggley is injured but Robbie McCourt is available. Talking point: Waterford’s only game in Dublin this season yielded a win so Keith Long has a game-plan for those fixtures, but Pat’s don’t concede many. David Dunne Ref: Odds: Pat’s 20/23, Waterford 10/3, draw 9/4 Verdict: Draw
SLIGO ROVERS v DUNDALK (Showgrounds, 7.45) Team news: Sligo’s Simon Power completes his three-game suspension here, John Mahon and Nando Pijnaker remain absent. Dundalk lose Robbie Mahon, Robbie Benson and Zak Johnson to injury. Talking point: Sligo were taught a lesson in successive battles with Dublin sides St Pat’s and Shamrock Rovers, losing 0-6 on aggregate so they refocus for a run of games against bottom-half teams. Dundalk are low on confidence and badly struggling for goals. Ref: Paul Norton Odds: Sligo 1/1, Dundalk 5/2, draw 23/10 Verdict: Home win