Credit:
Sligo Rovers -v- St Patrick's Athletic
- Alan Finn
- Thu, Apr 26 2012
SLIGO ROVERS
Sligo Rovers host St Patrick's Athletic tomorrow evening in The Showgrounds as the only remaining unbeaten sides in the Airtricity League go head to head.
After their 3-2 aggregate defeat to Crusaders in the Setanta Sports Cup semi-final, the Bit O' Red will be looking to bounce back right away and will have every reason to feel confident following what was arguably their best display of the season, in the second leg on Monday night.
Rovers go into this game with no suspensions but centre-back Jason McGuinness and striker Liam Martin remain the club's only injury worries after missing their side's last two games. They are expected to be assessed tomorrow morning.
ST. PATRICK'S ATHLETIC
St Patrick's Athletic have made an impressive start to the season and will be looking to maintain their unbeaten record when they travel to Sligo on Friday night.
The Saints have drawn their previous three games on the road in the League, but their home form has certainly caught they eye of many fans across the League following impressive victories over Shamrock Rovers and UCD in recent weeks.
Liam Buckley spoke to stpatsfc.com ahead of the game and commended the start Ian Baraclough has made at The Showgrounds. "Sligo have started the season impressively, and have continued to produce a really decent brand of football since Paul Cook has left.
Ian has come in at short notice and done a fantastic job to have his side at the top and still unbeaten. We’re really looking forward to the challenge though, and similarly, we’ll be trying to remain unbeaten."
Stephen O'Flynn is a minor doubt for the game, but Buckley has an otherwise full squad to choose from.
Referee: Alan Kelly.
MATCH STATS
This is the second time in three season that Sligo Rovers and St Patricks Athletic have faced each other as the only unbeaten sides in the League. The last time was in April 2010 when Pats were 1-0 winners in Richmond Park, courtesy of a David McAllister strike from distance.
There are four former St Pats players in the Sligo Rovers squad - Gary Rogers, Joseph Ndo, Mark Quigley and Danny North. St Pats have three former Sligo Rovers players in their squad - Brendan Clarke, John Russell and Darren Meenan.
St. Pats haven't won a League game in The Showgrounds since March 2009.
BETTING
Sligo 10/11; Draw 9/4; St Pats 3/1.
PREDICTION
A 2-1 win for Sligo Rovers.
Sligo Rovers Injury News: Jason McGuinness, Liam Martin (doubts).
Sligo Rovers Suspension News: None.
St Patrick's Athletic Injury News: Stephen O'Flynn (doubt).
St Patrick's Athletic Suspension News: None.
