Dublin Derby in Dalymount, as the Saints come marching around

BOHEMIANS V ST. PATRICKS ATHLETIC

Match Preview:

Friday's Dublin derby at Dalymount Park will have significant ramifications for both ends of the Airtricity League table.

St. Pats will be looking to prove to their fans that they are genuine title contenders but they know it won't be easy when they come up against a plucky Bohemians side who are aiming to gather a bit of breathing space between themselves and the teams below them.

'Pats' come into this game after a resounding win against Shelbourne. The Inchicore outfit comfortably recording a 3-0 win last Friday night while Bohemians fought their way back to earn a point in an intense game against rivals Shamrock Rovers last week.

The last meeting between these two sides resulted in a 1-1 draw. A fiercely competitive match that the Saints were arguably unlucky not to get all three points from.

Since then, St. Pats have put together a nice run of form and remain unbeaten in their last five games with three wins coming away from home. Bohemians' fortunes remain somewhat inconsistent. Draws against Drogheda, subsequent losses to UCD and Cork City and a point against Shamrock Rovers meant that the Gypsies are looking over the shoulders a little bit.

St. Pats travel to Dalymount Park with a clean bill of health and a suspension free squad whereas Bohemians have midfielder Keith Buckley suspended. Goalkeeper Dean Delany is expected to start despite being listed as a slight doubt.

It looks to be a very competitive game on paper and Bohs will be looking to keep former player Chris Forrester quiet. The St. Pats top goal scorer has scored five goals this season and the tricky youngster will be looking to cause havoc for full back Luke Byrne.

They say form goes out the window for Dublin derbies and having seen the fight that Bohemians have shown against St. Pats and Shamrock Rovers over recent weeks, it suggests that perhaps home fans may have something to shout about when St. Pats come to play, though it won't be easy with one of the league's in form teams on their doorstep.

Alan Kelly takes charge of this game which kicks off at 7:45pm at Dalymount Park on Friday 24th March 2013.