Bohemians and Sligo Rovers come together on Friday at Dalymount Park with both sides hoping to take all three points as they look to make a push towards the top three in the League of Ireland Premier.
The hosts sit in eighth but with at least two games in hand on all but one team in the division, while the visitors sit in sixth and six points behind third-placed Waterford United.
Match preview
Bohemians are coming into this game just one position above the relegation zone, but Alan Reynolds's side have played up to four fixtures fewer than any other team in the division, giving them the chance to climb up the table.
A victory in this one would see the hosts move to within two points of their opponents, and wins in all their games in hand could see Bohemians mount a charge for the top three.
However, the Bohs have only managed one victory in their last 10 outings, leaving them low on confidence heading into this game, although that win was a 3-0 triumph against Friday's opposition.
Reynolds will be hoping his side can replicate that victory here and begin a positive run of form as they face up against Dundalk FC and Drogheda United, who both sit below them in the relegation zone, in the following two fixtures.
As for the visitors, they have endured a rather inconsistent season, amassing 31 points from eight victories, seven draws, and eight defeats in their 31 fixtures so far.
John Russell, who took over the managerial position midway through the 2022 campaign, has never been able to match his predecessor Liam Buckley's third-placed finish in 2021, but a win in this one could see Russell's men move to within just three points of the top three.
After returning to winning ways against Shamrock Rovers, followed by an impressive win against title-chasing Derry City, Sligo will be coming into this one with a new-found confidence in the camp.
The visitors have, however, struggled on the road this season with just 12 points from 11 away fixtures and have managed just one win in their last eight away games.
Team News
The hosts are carrying a number of injuries into this game with up to six players expected to be unavailable for this one.
Brian McManus, Dylan Connolly and James McManus all remain out for the time being, while both Keith Buckley and Robert Cornwall are expected to miss the remainder of the season.
Jake Carroll was forced off in the 83rd minute of their 1-1 draw against Galway United last week, and the defender is likely to be replaced in the starting side by Aboubacar Keita.
The visitors, on the other hand, will be without just three players due to injury and suspension.
Both Conor Reynolds and John Mahon are out of this game with injuries, while John Wilson will miss out after picking up a red card in the 2-1 win against Derry City last week.
Bohemians possible starting lineup:
Chorazka; Miller, Byrne, Keita, Kirk; Flores; Grant, Clarke, McDonnell, Rooney; Akintunde
Sligo Rovers possible starting lineup:
McGinty; Wiggett, Denham, Pijnaker, Hutchinson; Morahan, Malley; Mallon, Chapman, Fitzgerald; Waweru
We say: Bohemians 1-2 Sligo Rovers
Bohemians may hold the home advantage in this match but they have struggled for form of late with just one victory in their last 10, while the visitors come into this one on the back of consecutive impressive victories, leading us to believe the visitors will walk away with all three points.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Ellis Stevens
