Friendly: Sligo Rovers v Galway FC

SLIGO ROVERS

An unsettled pre-season to date for Sligo Rovers means that Wednesday's clash with Galway FC is somewhat of more importance than many might have anticipated a few weeks ago. It's also their last ahead of the competitive season.

With one win and a loss so far for Ian Baraclough and company, the clash of the two biggest clubs on the west coast has grown in importance, particularly when one casts an eye back on the most recent meeting between the sides which saw Tommy Dunne's side emerge victorious in an eight-goal thriller on a score-line of 5-3.

With Sligo's scheduled game against Longford Town being called off due to inclement weather, their recent form guide doesn't really give too much away.

Bouncing back from their defeat against Galway to overcome Finn Harps on a score-line of 3-0 at home was just the remedy the Bit O' Red needed. Nonetheless, it will be interesting to see just how revealing the clash at Fahy's Field was.

Were Sligo merely caught off guard? Did they underestimate the Galwegians?

In any case, Rovers go into the tie with home advantage at the Showgrounds and will likely enter into the game adopting a more cautious approach. New signings such as lively winger Eric Odhiambo and Daniel Ledwith will be ones to watch again having already made big impacts since joining.

GALWAY FC

It's been a hugely encouraging beginning to the Galway FC journey so far with two wins out of three for Tommy Dunne's men, and with the excitement continuing to grow, Wednesday's clash looks like it's going to be a tasty one indeed.

With western rivalries relatively non-existent since Galway United's disastrous 2011 campaign, it's refreshing to see the derby being revived once again for the sake of Irish football.

However, it's unlikely either manager will dwell too long on the romance of the game. Dunne will be out to complete a pre-season double over Baraclough's charges in an effort to drum up as much confidence in his players before they get down to business in the league – make no mistake, this tie will be treated with respect.

Recently, the newly-established club sent out a message to the rest of the teams in both divisions with a well-earned 2-1 victory over the 2013 runners-up Dundalk. It was a win that will have served to douse any doubts about Galway's ability for the time being and is sure to galvanise their players ahead of Wednesday's clash.

On that night in Fahy's Field Ryan Manning proved to be the creative spark with two assists in a fine display and will look to him once more to reproduce the goods.

Speaking to galwayfc.ie ahead of the big clash, Galway boss Dunne had this to say: “It's another great game for us to get. Travelling to Sligo for our first real away game is good for us as a team and will help us to develop.”

He added: “There is no doubt it will be different compared to the last time we played, but going away together as a group will be a valuable experience."
 

MATCH STATS

Back in October 2011, Sligo Rovers thumped seven goals past the then Galway United in a league fixture as they ran out convincing 7-1 victors.

This fixture will be Sligo's first to be played on grass since the turn of the New Year.

In the Galway FC squad ahead of Wednesday's match is central midfielder Ryan Connolly who recently made the switch from Sligo Rovers in the transfer window.

New addition to the Galway squad Marty Owens used to ply his trade for Sligo Rovers in 2012 before being moved out on loan with Finn Harps.

BETTING

Sligo 1/4, draw 15/4, Galway 8/1.

PREDICTION

With Sligo eager to claim a scalp to improve upon a mixed bag of results and Galway anxious to keep the win count rising, it's expected that both sets of fans will be treated to a feisty battle.

The Bit O' Red should field a strong starting line-up to overcompensate for the reverse fixture result and will be out for revenge, one can expect. An apparent slack mentality in that 5-3 loss which saw Sligo relinquish an early lead should be avoided at all costs, but Galway are the in-form team and will be a real handful.

Away from home, of course, the visitors are an unknown quantity and will look to prove themselves. Should they pull a win out of the bag, there can be little doubting the talent that permeates through their squad, while a loss would be an unwelcome set-back, even with no points on the line.

It won't be as high-scoring as the last time these two met, but there will be a few goals – a 2-2 draw which should provide more than a few talking points.

Sligo Rovers injury news: Gavin Peers – cruciate ligament (out)

Galway FC injury news: Noel Varley - shin injury (doubtful) Jason Molloy - hamstring (doubtful) Sean Gavin - ankle (out) Alan Murphy - ankle (out)