Bohemians, under the stewardship of former Derry City assistant manager Alan Reynolds, were quickest out of the traps in 2026, winning five of their first six games to take an early lead at the top of the table. A nine-game winless run, which included six draws, began in mid-March and put an end to Bohs' early momentum. However, four wins from the last five games have the Phibsborough side sitting second in the Premier Division. The performances of captain Dawson Devoy saw the midfielder called into the Republic of Ireland squad for recent friendlies against Canada and Qatar. The 24-year-old wore number eight for the nation as he started the 1-1 draw away to Canada in Montréal last Friday. The former MK Dons man also netted the winner in the Brandywell earlier this year with a well-placed free kick. Winger Harry Vaughan, who is on loan from Premier League new-boys Hull City, started Republic of Ireland U21's 2-2 friendly draw away to Croatia last weekend. Former Bohs defender Sean Grehan scored the equaliser for the Boys in Green, six minutes after his own-goal had the Croatians in the lead. A thigh injury ruled 19-year-old Markuss Strods out of a first call-up to Latvia's senior squad. He has assisted four and scored two for Bohs this term, including an equaliser against Derry last month, as well as netting for his country's U21 side in a European Qualifier against Georgia back in March. Former Derry City forward Colm Whelan has been the main man for Bohemian's this year, scoring seven and assisting a further two. He has netted three hat-tricks since swapping the Brandywell for Dalymount ahead of the 2025 season, while four of his seven this year have been from the penalty spot. English striker Douglas James-Taylor is another man in form, contributing to six goals in his last eight appearances. Versatile midfielder Patrick Hickey, who can operate anywhere through the centre of the pitch, has bagged four this year – as has Ross Tierney. Sam Todd and Sadou Diallo, who signed for Bohs from Derry City ahead of this season, have both impressed in Dublin. Todd has made 18 appearances and made the left side of defence his own, while Diallo has been utilised mostly off the bench. Six points off Shamrock Rovers at the top, Bohemians are gearing up for a first European campaign in five years as they enter the UEFA Conference League at the first round of qualifying. Bohs reached the Third Round in their last European escapade back in 2021, eventually going out to Greek side PAOK. With their only loss in the past seven games coming via 95th-minute Enda Stevens goal in the derby with Shamrock Rovers almost three weeks ago, Bohemians are one of the form sides in the league coming into this one. They top the away form table having won twenty points from their ten away fixtures to date. The previous two encounters between City and Bohs this year have served up a 1-1 draw in Dalymount in May and a 1-0 win for the travelling Bohemians in the Ryan McBride Brandywell in February. The City faithful will look towards last season's 4-3 win in Phibsborough for inspiration to leave Celtic Park with a first win in eight games come Friday evening.