Galway United play host to Bohemians on Thursday evening looking for the win that will maintain their charge for the top three in the League of Ireland Premier Division standings.
Despite sitting down in eighth position, Bohemians can also get back into the hunt should they secure victory at Eamonn Deacy Park.
Match preview
Having been promoted last season, Galway remain the surprise package of this season's top flight having managed to stay in the top five of the table.
Holding the second-best defensive record in the division, conceding just one more goal than top-of-the-table Shelbourne, is also one of the more impressive statistics of the 2024 campaign.
Nevertheless, the Tribesmen have lost their way in recent games, suffering defeats at St Patrick's Athletic, Derry City and Shelbourne.
John Caulfield will take some solace from the triple setback occurring on their travels, yet it highlights that improvements need to be made if they are to challenge for European qualification.
On a positive note, Galway hold a game in hand on the two teams directly above them, trailing third-placed Waterford by just the four points.
Bohemians are another team who will be hoping to take advantage of having played fewer matches than the teams above them, in some cases as many as four fixtures.
If the Bohs can defeat Galway on Thursday, they will be within two points of fifth with a game in hand, indicating their supporters should not be too downbeat with their current eighth spot.
However, this is a team that has prevailed in just one of their most recent nine league fixtures and have failed to win in any of their last four.
That said, Alan Reynolds's side have been respectable enough away from home of late. Four points and two clean sheets have been collected from three games, with their solitary defeat coming by a 2-1 scoreline at third-placed Waterford.
Team News
Galway will have to make do without Aodh Dervin, who was sent off for two yellow cards having been introduced as a substitute last time out.
Maurice Nugent could be introduced as a replacement for Rob Slevin at the back, but that may be the extent of the changes given that they were playing top of the table.
Reynolds could plausibly select the same Bohemians starting lineup that earned a goalless draw at St Patrick's Athletic.
No changes were made until the 87th minute of that game, with Reynolds delighted with the defensive rearguard.
James Akintunde has only scored once in his last nine outings, but the 28-year-old may retain his place down the centre of the attack.
Galway United possible starting lineup:
Clarke; Esua, Nugent, Brouder, Kazeem; McCormack, Buckley; O'Sullivan, Hurley, McCarthy; Walsh
Bohemians possible starting lineup:
Chorazka; Miller, Byrne, Kirk, Carroll; Flores, McDonnell; Grant, Clarke, Rooney; Akintunde
We say: Galway United 1-1 Bohemians
With neither team one of the free scorers in the division, we do not expect a bundle of goals on Thursday night. Although Galway will back themselves to come out on top, Bohemians should do enough to earn a share of the spoils in what will be a competitive tussle.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Darren Plant
