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

The two teams, who have been out of competitive action for three weeks due to the international break, are separated by just one point in the table, with the hosts in seventh sitting just behind the visitors in sixth.

Match preview

Bohemians will be keen to improve on their results from last month, which saw them win only one of their five league fixtures and claim just five points from a possible 15 available.

Keith Long's side played out a 1-1 draw at home against Drogheda United in their last match, which they were leading courtesy of a first-half opener from Jordan Flores, but Dean Williams scored an 84th-minute equaliser to force both sides to share the spoils.

Bohs are currently seven points and three places worse off than at this stage last season, and it will be a tall order for them to win their first top-flight title since 2009 as they are 19 points behind league leaders Shamrock Rovers, who are their next opponents after they face Shelbourne on Friday.

Bohemians will be confident of success against the Reds as they have won four and drawn one of their last five meetings against them, including a 4-1 away victory in their last encounter in April.

Shelbourne, meanwhile, were unable to extend their four-game winning league run as they were beaten 2-0 by table toppers Shamrock Rovers at the end of last month.

First-half strikes from Richie Towell and Rory Gaffney condemned the Reds to defeat in a game in which they failed to register a single shot on target.

Shelbourne, who were promoted as second-tier champions last season, currently have no fears of an immediate relegation as they are sitting 13 points clear of the bottom two at the halfway stage.

Damian Duff's men head into Friday's contest after losing three of their last four away games and their last victory against Bohemians was back in April 2016 when they won 4-3 on penalties in the quarter-finals of the League Cup.

Bohemians League of Ireland Premier form:

Shelbourne League of Ireland Premier form:

Team News

Bohemians goalkeeper James Talbot was forced to withdraw from the Republic of Ireland squad last week due to an injury sustained in training and he is now unlikely to feature on Friday.

Tadhg Ryan could therefore start between the sticks, while protection in defence could be provided by a back four of Max Murphy, Jordan Doherty, Ciaran Kelly and Tyreke Wilson.

Winger Promise Omochere will be hoping to return to the first XI ahead of Ali Coote, while midfield starlet Dawson Devoy is set to play in behind striker Junior Ogedi-Uzokwe.

Midfielder John O'Sullivan and left-back Ryan Burke both joined the club this month but they are ineligible to play until July 1.

As for Shelbourne, Jordan McEneff, Adam Thomas, Daniel Hawkins and Sean McSweeney are all doubtful, with the former two suffering with knocks, while the latter two have muscle problems.

Goalkeeper Lewis Webb has returned to his parent club Swansea City, with Brendan Clarke now seemingly an assured starter between the sticks.

Attacking midfielder Jack Moylan, who has been nominated for May's Player of the Month after scoring three goals in five appearances, is set to start again in behind forwards Jad Hakiki and Sean Boyd.

Bohemians possible starting lineup:

Ryan; Murphy, Doherty, Kelly, Wilson; Flores, Levingston; Omochere, Devoy, Burt; Ogedi-Uzokwe

Shelbourne possible starting lineup:

Clarke; Griffin, O'Driscoll, Byrne, Kane; Lunney, Dervin, McManus; Moylan; Hakiki, Boyd

We say: Bohemians 1-1 Shelbourne

Both sides will be keen to return to winning ways on Friday, although a closely-fought contest between two evenly-matched sides could be on the cards.

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