Dundalk battle it out against Bohs

Dundalk FC face Bohemians at Oriel Park this evening in what feels like a must-win game to avoid relegation from the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division.

The Lilywhites have just five matches left to save their season and are ooted to the bottom of the table making this a pivotal clash. Jon Daly's side has been on a rough run of form, losing their last four matches by narrow margins.

The Louth side has managed to collect only two points out of a possible 21, since their exit from the FAI Cup in July,

They’ve drawn with both Bohemians and Derry City during that period but have squandered halftime leads in three of their last five matches, turning promising starts into frustrating defeats.

Since their return to action in late June Dundalk have secured just one victory while suffering eight losses across 11 matches in all competitions.

Their last three home fixtures have all ended in defeat, with the most recent loss coming against Saint Patrick’s Athletic in a rearranged Thursday night fixture three weeks ago.

Despite leading through an early goal from Eoin Kenny, they conceded twice in the second half to fall 2-1. Things haven’t been much better for Dundalk on the road. Their last two games saw them fall 2-1 to both Waterford and Sligo Rovers.

The remaining games at Oriel Park will see them face title contenders Derry City and Shamrock Rovers, making tonight's match against Bohemians a crucial opportunity to gather points.

Their first league victory of the season came against the Gypsies back in April in a 2-0 win courtesy of goals from Scott High and Robbie Benson. That result broke an 11-game winless streak but Dundalk have managed just four more wins since then.

The Lilywhites’ other two encounters with Bohemians this season ended in a 1-0 loss and a 1-1 draw, with Daryl Horgan equalizing for Dundalk in the most recent meeting. Alan Reynolds' Bohs side currently occupy eighth place in the league having won only two of their last 19 matches.

They come into this match off the back of two narrow 1-0 defeats to Drogheda and Shamrock Rovers in results that have kept them hovering above the relegation scrap.

Dundalk will be hoping to replicate their earlier victory over Bohemians and reduce the gap to Drogheda, who face Derry City this weekend. With time running out tonight's game could prove pivotal for the Lilywhites as they fight for Premier Division survival.

In team news, Mayowa Animasahun returns to the squad but Hayden Cann is suspended after his red card against Sligo Rovers last week.