Bohemians v Shamrock Rovers
Football: Republic of Ireland, Premier League
Sunday 26th July 2009 - KICK OFF 1pm

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Not only is it the biggest rivalry in the League but Bohemians and Shamrock Rovers are first and second as they face each other for the third time this season in this huge derby game on Sunday afternoon.

BOHEMIANS (Home Rec : W8 D1 L1)

Bohs suffered heartache in Europe during the week as a sloppy late goal saw them exit the Champions league at the hands of Red Bull Salzburg. But their league form has been superb as they sit 5 points clear of opponent Rovers who are in second place.

Since losing to Rovers back on 16th of May, Bohs record has been 7 wins and just one defeat. Its their home record that will have Rovers most worried today. Bohs have won 7 in a row at their Dalymount Park ground and in their 10 home games this season they have conceded only 2 goals. Their last defeat and also the last time they conceded at home was way back on April 3rd when they lost 1-0 to Cork City.

Striker Jason Byrne has been on stunning form for the Champions and has netted 16 times in 20 games. He scored twice earlier in the season in this fixture in a 2-0 Bohs win. But Bohs will have to do without Skipper Owen Heary with a hamstring problem, they will also be without the very talented Joseph Ndo and tough tackling midfielder Gary Deegan. Three vital losses but Bohs do have a very strong squad to back up any injuries.

Bohs last 5 league games
St Patricks 3-1 Bohs
Bohs 2-0 Sligo
Bray 1-3 Bohs
Dundalk 0-2 Bohs
Bohs 1-0 Derry City

SHAMROCK ROVERS (Away Rec : W 5 D4 L1)

Rovers have had a terrific season and they almost caused a huge upset last Monday as they held Real Madrid till the 86th minute in a friendly game. Rovers had their chances too and if Striker Dessie Baker showed more composure in front of goal a few times they may well have won it. Rovers league form like their rivals Bohs, has been excellent.

Rovers last tasted defeat back on the 2nd of May at home to Bray wanderers. Since then they have gone 10 league games unbeaten, winning 7 of them while drawing the other 3. Their away form has been very solid all season as they have only lost once on the road, which was in this fixture back in March. They did get their revenge on Bohs when they beat them 2-1 at home in May. Gary Twigg got the 2 late goals that night and he like Jason Byrne of Bohs has been on top form and has also got 16 goals this season.

Not many Rovers fans would have predicted they would be in a title race this season but they are there and deservedly so. A defeat in this game would leave them 8 points behind their great rivals with 15 games left.

Still time to catch them but would be hard to imagine a solid Bohs outfit slipping up too many times. Rovers could be at full strength for this one as they hope to at the very least to avoid a defeat.

Rovers last 5 league games
Cork 0-0 Rovers
Rovers 1-0 Galway
St Patricks 1-2 Rovers
Bray 1-2 Rovers
Rovers 3-1 Sligo

THE BETTING VERDICT

A DRAW looks very likely here. Both sides have been on top form and I don't think either side would be too disappointed in a stalemate.

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

A DRAW can be got at 12/5.

Also I'm not usually a fan of first scorer but I do like the 5/1 for Jason Byrne and 13/2 available for Gary Twigg. Both players are the leading scorers in the league by a long way.