Although they come into this clash with only the slenderest of differences between them in terms of points won this season, the result of this game could have a huge result on both Waterford and Bohemians campaigns.
A win for The Gypsies could catapult them to the business end of the table and would be a remarkable change of fortune for Keith Long’s outfit after a poor start to the campaign.
After they picked up a point in their first three games, before getting a much-needed win last week against Dundalk, three points would help them keep in touch with teams like Finn Harps, St Pat’s and Shamrock Rovers who are already beginning to pull away from those around them.
However, anything less than a win could leave them as far as nine points off the summit and already playing catch up after just five games.
On the other hand, a win for Waterford would see them put some daylight between themselves and basement boys Derry and Dundalk. Although if results elsewhere go against them and they lose, the Blues will find themselves in the unforgiving place that is the foot of the table.
After coming so close to earning a battling draw against Finn Harps in Donegal, Waterford will still be reeling from getting caught by a late, sucker punch goal from David Webster which saw them make the long journey home empty-handed.
Despite a gutsy performance and their solitary goal, they manufactured few chances in that game and will need to be more creative if they want to get their first home points of the season.
Having been forced to sign nine new players in the offseason due to a mass exodus of last year, Bohs may be beginning to gel as a side which is good news for Long but bad news for Waterford.
If the Dublin side has any aspirations of getting back involved in the title race or even a place in Europe they will need to be able to account for teams such as Waterford. Expect an away win.
