Preview: Bohemians vs. Dundalk - prediction, team news, lineups

The visitors are currently fourth in the table, four points ahead of fifth-placed Bohemians, although the home side have two games in hand on their opponents in this contest.

Match preview

Bohemians have won the League of Ireland Premier Division on 11 previous occasions, with their last success coming in 2009, but they finished down in sixth position last season.

Bohs have not been victorious in the league since a 2-0 success over Sligo Rovers at the start of June, picking up just two points from their last four matches against Cork City, Derry City, Shamrock Rovers and Sligo Rovers.

Declan Devine's side suffered a 3-1 defeat to Bohemians in their last league game on June 30, but they will enter this match off the back of a 4-3 success over Shelbourne in the Leinster Senior Cup semi-finals to progress to the final of the competition.

Bohemians are currently fifth in the top flight, picking up 35 points from their opening 22 matches of the season, boasting a record of 10 wins, five draws and seven defeats.

Devine's team are four points behind fourth-placed Dundalk but have two games in hand, while they have picked up 17 points from their 10 home league games this term.

Dundalk, meanwhile, have a mixed record on their travels, claiming 17 points from 12 matches, boasting a record of five wins, two draws and five losses on their travels.

The Lilywhites are currently fourth in the table, just three points behind second-placed St Patrick's Athletic, while they are seven points behind the leaders Shamrock Rovers.

Dundalk will enter this match in excellent form, going unbeaten in their last five league matches, recording four wins in the process, including a 2-0 success over Shamrock Rovers on June 30.

Stephen O'Donnell's side will therefore be full of confidence ahead of this match, and a win on Friday would lead them nicely into successive home fixtures against Shelbourne and Sligo Rovers.

The Railwaymen are 14-time winners of the League of Ireland Premier Division, with their last success coming in 2019, but they finished third in the top league last term.

Bohemians League of Ireland Premier form:

D

W

L

D

D

L

Dundalk League of Ireland Premier form:

L

W

W

W

D

W

Team News

Jordan Flores has been the main source of goals for Bohemians this season, finding the back of the net on six occasions, and he will again line up in central midfield for the home side.

There are not expected to be any major surprises when it comes to the Bohemians XI for this match, with four-goal Jonathan Afolabi set to lead the line.

Kris Twardek is set to continue in a wide area, while Grant Horton is again expected to feature as the team's right-back in Friday night's contest.

As for Dundalk, head coach O'Donnell has no fresh injury concerns for the contest with Bohemians.

Patrick Hoban has been in strong form during the 2022-23 campaign, finding the back of the net on 10 occasions in all competitions, and he will continue in an attacking area.

Johannes Yli-Kokko is expected to feature alongside Hoban in the final third of the field, while Daniel Kelly and Gregory Sloggett should continue in the wide areas for the in-form visitors.

Bohemians possible starting lineup:

Talbot; Horton, Nowak, Radkowski, Kirk; McDonnell, Flores; Connolly, Clarke, Twardek; Afolabi

Dundalk possible starting lineup:

Shepperd; Davies, Muller, Annesley, Leahy, McCourt; Sloggett, Malley, Kelly; Hoban, Yli-Kokko

We say: Bohemians 1-1 Dundalk

This has all of the makings of an excellent match, and it will be fascinating to see what occurs on Friday night. Dundalk will enter the match in strong form and off the back of an impressive win over Shamrock, but we have a feeling that Bohemians will be good enough to secure a share of the spoils here.

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