Sligo Rovers -v- Cork City
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SLIGO ROVERS
Sligo Rovers will be looking to continue their 100% start to the league when they welcome Tommy Dunne’s Cork City to The Showgrounds on Saturday (kick-off 3.55pm).
The Bit o’Red are currently two points clear of Derry City at the top, and a win will see them move five points ahead of Declan Devine’s men.
In terms of injuries, Ian Baraclough has a number players missing. Danny North is in the final stages of his recovery from his knee injury. Seamus Conneely will be out for a few of weeks after undergoing a minor procedure on his knee.
Adam Murphy has been called into the squad as Ciaran Kelly sits on the sidelines due to a fractured sternum. Midfielder Joseph Ndo is back in light training after a hand injury, and he is expected to become available in the next couple of weeks.
Speaking ahead of the game, manager Ian Baraclough said he is expecting a good game: “Cork will be a big test on Saturday. It is two passing teams that will go hammer and tong at it. The battles we had last year were produced by two good footballing games and I expect it could be the same this season.
Tommy has improved Cork’s squad this year and the players have the experience of a year in the Premier Division under their belts.”
CORK CITY
Cork come into this game in 7th place, just three points off third place. Their last four games have produced one loss, one win and two draws for the Leesiders.
Tommy Dunne’s defence is down to the bare bones as a result of injuries and suspensions. Darren Dennehy misses out as he’s serving the second game of his two-match ban for his sending off against Shamrock Rovers.
Kevin Murray and Dan Murray have been ruled out of the tie with injuries, and Neal Horgan is doubtful. Brian Lenihan is still out.
Dunne feels the trip to Sligo is a huge test for his side: “You don’t really get much tougher than a trip to Sligo. It’s a major test, but it is a good place to go and the pitch is relatively good from what I have seen.”
“Sligo are the top team at the moment: they are consistent, they are scoring goals and they are not conceding many. For us it is a really tough task, but we are looking forward to the game. In a sense we have nothing to lose and we will go up and perform. We have prepared the right way, we are looking forward to it and we will give it a good go.”
Referee: Padraigh Sutton
MATCH STATS
Daryl Horgan is the only player in these two squads to have played for both teams.
City are yet to win on the road this season, but they’re also yet to lose, as they’ve drawn all three of their away games.
Rovers have only conceded once at home this season, and have scored seven league goals in The Showgrounds.
BETTING
Sligo Rovers 4/9, Draw 3/1, Cork City 6/1.
PREDICTION
Sligo Rovers 2-0 Cork City.
Sligo Rovers
Injured: Danny North, Seamus Conneely, Ciaran Kelly.
Doubtful: Joseph Ndo.
Suspended: None.
Cork City
Injured: Kevin Murray, Dan Murray, Brian Lenihan.
Doubtful: Neal Horgan.
Suspended: Darren Dennehy.
