Shamrock Rovers -v- Sligo Rovers
Credit:
SHAMROCK ROVERS
The Hoops are facing into a massive eight days in their season, starting with a game against the League leaders and leading to a Setanta Cup final next Saturday against Drogheda United. First up are the defending champions Sligo Rovers who visit Tallaght Stadium on Friday night in what has inevitably been billed "The Clash of the Rovers".
The Dubliners will be looking to bounce back from a shocking defeat against struggling Dublin rivals UCD last weekend, a loss which saw The Hoops fall to 8th position, a massive 13 points behind Friday’s opponents, after just ten games.
Trevor Croly said of tomorrow's tie and the defeat to the Students “It’s a great game and one that I’m sure both clubs are looking forward to. This is the kind of fixture that both players and fans look for at the start of the season. It looks like the weather is going to be good, so hopefully there will be a big crowd and a good atmosphere on the night.
“We were disappointed with the result last week and we will be looking to turn that around starting on Friday night.”
SLIGO ROVERS
The Bit O'Red will be hoping to get back to winning ways on Friday, after suffering a Setanta Cup semi-final defeat to Drogheda United and an ill-tempered affair in the League last Saturday against Drogheda United, which led to left back Ross Gaynor seeing red and joining fellow full back arfhlaith Davoren on the suspension list.
One high point to come out of that game was Anthony Elding reaching double figures in the goal-scoring charts, continuing his prolific start to life in the west.
Manager Ian Baraclough, who saw the Hoops defeat to UCD first hand, said of tomorrow's opponents:
"A match with opposition like us is something they are probably looking for. When you’re trying to recover from a couple of bad results the visit of the league leaders can be seen as a good way to try to recover from it. They are a team that must be respected, a squad filled with talented players and it is a tough journey to the capital for us.
"In a lot of games that I have watched them play or looked at, the results could have been different with missed chances or a mistake where their total could be eight or nine points higher than it is now.
"It will be a good atmosphere and it should spur on the players. We have had a good couple days getting ready and I’m confident that the bigger the game, the better the performance from our players."
Referee: Alan Kelly.
MATCH STATS
For all their attacking troubles this season, Shamrock Rovers have found the net in every home game thus far, amassing a total of 12 in four league outings in Tallaght.
In Sligo's four away games so far this season they have conceded just three goals.
BETTING
Shamrock Rovers 7/4, Draw 11/4, Sligo Rovers 6/4.
PREDICTION
Echoing Baraclough's quotes, I think Shamrock Rovers will be up for this game, and I will go 2-1 to The Hoops.
Shamrock Rovers
Injured: Ken Oman (ankle).
Doubtful: Mark Quigley (hamstring).
Suspended: None.
Sligo Rovers
Injured: Seamus Conneely and Danny North (knee), Ciaran Kelly (sternum).
Doubtful: Raffaele Cretaro.
Suspended: Iarfhlaith Davoren and Ross Gaynor.
