Shelbourne v Bohemians, Tolka Park, 2pmBased on how close they are to each other in the SSE Airtricity League table, there will be little to choose between the north Dublin rivals when they meet with an Extra.ie FAI Cup semi-final spot at stake today.Bohemians have the edge on that front, three points clear of Damien Duff's Shelbourne but having played a game more.And they have also had the better of the head-to-heads, with Bohs claiming two wins - including a dominant 4-1 victory albeit all the way back in April - as well as a pair of draws.Discipline, or lack of it, has coloured most of the fixtures between both teams in the league, with red cards in three of the four meetings.
So expect this to be ferociously fought between two sides looking to make a breakthrough amid consistent inconsistency.It will mark the third match in charge of Bohs for interim manager Derek Pender since replacing long-time boss Keith Long and the report card thus far reads a derby win over Shamrock Rovers and a defeat at in-form Derry City.For his own long-term prospects of potentially taking on the managerial vacancy permanently - Bohs having a chance to qualify for Europe and also to give fans something to shout about after the cup final pain of last year - Pender and the Dalymount dwellers will be keenly targeting the visit to Tolka Park.As will Duff and Shels.
The safety of lower mid-table is a solid return for a first season back in the top flight. But struggles in front of goal and aforementioned inconsistency will be a source of some frustration.Recent form leaves them as the only Premier Division club without a win in their last five league outings since back-to-back wins over UCD and Finn Harps.A goal drought has contributed to that