St Patrick's Athletic -v- Sligo Rovers

ST PATRICK’S ATHLETIC

St Patrick’s Athletic welcome league leaders and defending champions Sligo Rovers to Richmond Park at the earlier kick-off time of 7.05 pm due to live coverage on RTÉ Two. 

Liam Buckley’s side come into this game on the back of some good form, notably the 4-0 hammering of Shelbourne at home and two very impressive back-to-back away wins over Bray and U.C.D.

History tells us live coverage from the Inchicore venue is good news for Saints fans who remember with glee Pats’ 5-1 thumping of rivals Shamrock Rovers in April last year. More poignantly, the last televised game between tonight’s two sides saw Saints beat Sligo 1-0 courtesy of a 25 yard strike from David McAllister three years ago to the month.

Last season there wasn’t much between the sides in the three fixtures played. Two draws from the first two encounters was followed by a 3-2 thriller at the Showgorounds which helped the Bit o’ Red capture the league title.

In team news, goalkeeper Brendan Clarke is due to undergo a late fitness test on a knee injury while Shane McFaul is expected to be available for selection.

Speaking to the clubs website Buckley was anticipating a great night for football and urged Saints fans to get behind his team.

“A packed Richmond Park on a Friday evening with the game live on television is always a great night, so hopefully we can get a result.  We’d really like Inchicore to be packed, so I’d urge people to get down to the ground on Friday and cheer on the team.”

SLIGO ROVERS

Rovers have yet to lose a game this season in the league and a ninth successive win will equal a few old-standing records, notably Saints’ five away wins in a row. 

Only the Shamrock Rovers team of 1965/66 season has a better start to the league with 11 wins on the bounce and the Bit o’ Red will move to fourth on that list if they can overcome Pats tonight.

In team news manager Ian Baraclough welcomes back Joseph Ndo but Danny North (knee), Seamus Conneely (knee) and Ciaran Kelly (fractured sternum) miss out.

Rovers left their league form behind them in Dublin when they travelled to Hunky Dorys Park in the Setanta Sports Cup on Tuesday last. A 2-0 win for Sligo’s bogey team Drogheda United surprised many, except Baraclough, who felt, at some stage, his team would falter.

"We were always going to have a knock back and it came on Tuesday. There is still a chance for us in the tie with another 90 minutes to play in The Showgrounds. 

"There was disappointment amongst all the players and that the goals came from our own mistakes, if you like. We weren’t opened up and you can’t afford to concede goals that way or you can lose games.”

Looking ahead to tonight’s game the manager is expecting a tight encounter at Richmond Park where no quarter will be given.

"It’s going to be nip and tuck like the games between the sides were last season. Pats are at home, the onus is on them and I expect it will be a good game between two footballing sides if the conditions are right”.

Referee: Neil Doyle

MATCH STATS

Sligo Rovers are aiming to equal Saints’ five successive away wins of 2011; The Bit o’ Red are also going for their fifth clean sheet in the league.

Raffaele Cretaro is still one away from his 50^th league goal for Rovers.

Tonight’s game is only Pats’ fourth home game of season due to fixture congestion. Saints have two win from three at Richmond Park.

BETTING

St Pats 9/4; Draw 11/5; Sligo Rovers 6/5.

PREDICTION

Sligo have scored two goals or more in every league game so far.

St. Patrick’s Athletic 1-2 Sligo Rovers

St. Patrick's Ath

Injured: None.
Doubtful: Brendan Clarke.
Suspended: None.

Sligo Rovers

Injured: Danny North (knee), Seamus Conneely (knee) and Ciaran Kelly (fractured sternum).
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: None.