Preview: Bohemians vs. Derry City - prediction, team news, lineups

Locked together on points in the League of Ireland Premier table, Bohemians and Derry City will meet at Dalymount Park on Friday night.

Both sides were beaten last week, ending a positive run of results, but they now resume their battle for European qualification.

Match preview

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While Bohemians started the 2025 season by posting just two wins from their first nine league games, they have since enjoyed a significant upturn, winning six of the last eight.

However, after three straight successes - against Galway United, Sligo Rovers and reigning champions Shelbourne - the Dublin club lost last week, going down to a 1-0 defeat against fellow top-three contenders Drogheda United.

Bohs boss Alan Reynolds saw his side dominate both possession and the shot count either side of falling behind, but they ultimately failed to break through.

Indeed, the capital club only sit eighth in this season's scoring charts, averaging just over one goal per game, and that lack of clinical finishing could harm hopes of European qualification.

Now, they return to Dalymount Park, where they have secured 15 points from a possible 24 on offer so far, aiming to avoid another defeat to bogey side Derry City.

Derry have certainly got the better of Bohemians in recent years, winning four of the last five meetings in league and cup.

When the teams most recently met, they won 1-0 at the Brandywell in February, with Michael Duffy scoring what proved to be the only goal on 10 minutes.

Like Bohs, the Candystripes saw a promising unbeaten run ended last time out, as league leaders Shamrock Rovers staged a dramatic late comeback and left Northern Ireland with maximum points.

Halting Derry's four-match streak without defeat, Shamrock scored twice in the final 20 minutes to overturn Danny Mullen's opener, so Tiernan Lynch's side slipped down to third place.

Nonetheless, they have still won five of their last eight games, and top spot is within eight points at the season's halfway stage.

Team News

Bohs now have former Brighton & Hove Albion defender Leigh Kavanagh back in the fold following injury, but English centre-back Alex Lacey is still sidelined by a hamstring problem.

Once again, Dawson Devoy will play a key role in midfield, while forwards Ross Tierney and Colm Whelan are the hosts' joint-top scorers with four league goals apiece.

Meanwhile, Derry's attack has been led by Michael Duffy and Danny Mullen, who have found the net six and five times respectively - the former is tied third in the Premier Division's golden boot race.

Experienced striker Liam Boyce should join them in the final third, while Mark Connolly captains the Candystripes from central defence.

Wing-back Ben Doherty recently completed his recovery from a muscular injury and returned to action as a substitute last week, replacing ex-Newcastle United wide man Shane Ferguson.

Bohemians possible starting lineup: Chorazka; Morahan, Grehan, Cornwall, Flores; McDonnell, Devoy; Rooney, Clarke, Tierney; Whelan

Derry City possible starting lineup: Maher; Harkin, Cann, Connolly, Holt, Ferguson; O'Reilly, Winchester, Duffy; Whyte, Boyce

We say: Bohemians 1-1 Derry City

All the indicators point to a close-fought contest in Phibsborough, where win-or-bust Bohs have either won or lost this season.

The north Dublin club could record their first draw of the 2025 campaign, though, as Derry have enough grit and nous to leave with a point.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.