League Preview: Sligo Rovers -v- UCD

SLIGO ROVERS

With only seven games gone so far this season, Sligo Rovers find themselves already 11 points behind the leaders Dundalk and have their work cut out to reduce that gap. The Bit O’Red will be hoping Friday’s game against UCD in the Showgrounds will kick-start that task (Kick-off 7.45pm).

Sligo Rovers began the season with a 2-1 win over Athlone Town but that was followed by four straight defeats. Sligo boss Ian Baraclough will be hoping his charges will bring their Setanta Sports Cup form into the league, having won four games out of four, conceding only two goals and scoring 16.

A recent 7-1 aggregate win over St Patrick's Athletic saw the Connacht side show tremendous character and drive to fight back against their critics and has proven that they still have what it takes to rival anyone.

Speaking ahead of their Friday night showdown with ninth placed UCD, Ian Baraclough addressed his side's resurgence in form: “There is no difference in how the players have worked in training but there is certainly a spring in their step after the win in Richmond Park. They are really looking forward to this game and that comes from winning like we did on Monday night.”

And, speaking highly of UCD, Baraclough knows exactly what to expect from the visitors: “I’ve had UCD watched and a report done on them and they are carrying on from a similar vain to last season. They’ve made a good start and there is pace in the team which is just one of their dangers. I don’t think they will come here looking to shut up shop. They will come to play and to try and beat us.”

UCD

Back-to-back defeats against Shamrock Rovers and league-leaders Dundalk have impeded the Students' progress a great deal after collecting a generous helping of seven points against Athlone Town, Bray Wanderers and Limerick.

And it certainly won't have done their confidence any good either.

That said, they've been progressing a lot better than they did in the early parts of last season and look to have found a degree of stability that they lacked in large parts of last season

But with another two stern tests to come before the end of the month against Cork City and Derry City, it's easy to see why they've been working hard in the early stages; they need all the points they can pilfer.

Manager Aaron Callaghan is wary of the threat Sligo pose. Speaking ahead of the match, the UCD supremo had this to say: “Sligo haven’t had a great run of results in the league so far this season, but they are one of the best sides in the country and I expect them to start picking up results in the coming weeks. They had a great win over St Patrick’s Athletic in the Setanta Cup on Monday night and will be full of confidence coming into this game.”

Referee: Paul Tuite

MATCH STATS

Friday evening's encounter has been dedicated to families supporting Sligo Rovers with thousands of children getting the chance to see their local side in action. Their biggest attendance of the season is expected.

Sligo Rovers won all three league meetings between the sides last season. Most memorable of all for the hosts was the seven goal thriller which they won 5-2.

UCD are six points better off than they were after seven games last year and are ahead of Baraclough's charges in the table.

BETTING

Sligo Rovers 1/4; Draw 9/2; UCD 10/1

PREDICTION

A comfortable enough win for Sligo Rovers should be the outcome, if they can build on the encouraging signs they've shown of late.

A three-match unbeaten streak that included a hard-fought draw against an in-form Cork City has sowed the seeds of optimism. A big win on Friday would strengthen that belief.

A 2-0 win for last season's FAI Cup winners.

Sligo Rovers

Injuries: Raffaele Cretaro (calf) and Gavin Peers (knee)

Doubtful: Jeff Henderson (hamstring) and Seamus Conneelly (groin)

Suspensions: None

UCD

Injuries: Ayman Ben Mohamed (knee)

Doubtful: Ian Ryan (foot) and Dean Clarke (back)

Suspensions: Hugh Douglas