League Preview: Sligo Rovers -v- Bohemians
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SLIGO ROVERS
Rovers play a second SSE Airtricity League game in four days on Monday night; this time at the Showgrounds against Bohemians - in a game re-arranged due to due Rovers Europa League involvement.
Kick-off at the Showgrounds is at 7:45 with the Bit o’Red aiming to bounce back from successive defeats in the last two games.
After back-to-back defeats the Bit o’Red’s boss John Coleman says the team are hurting just like the fans are but added that “we have to stick our chest out and go again. We could just curl up in a ball and go away but we won’t do that. We have to go out on Monday night and believe that we can win the game. We want a positive result and performance to give the fans.”
This will be easier said than done though as there is still a large injury and suspension list to contend with as Alan Keane is now out for the season due to a toe injury joining Jeff Henderson, who is suffering from a foot injury, on the bench.
There are also doubts over Gary Rogers who picked up an ankle injury late last week, Seamus Conneely who is nursing a groin problem and John Russell who has a knee injury.
Danny Ledwith will miss the game after his sending off against Derry City on Friday while Ruairi Keating, Paul O’Conor and Iarfhlaith Davoren serve bans for the accumulation of yellow cards.
BOHEMIANS
Bohemians claimed their third home league win in a row with a 2-1 victory against Bray Wanderers on Friday night and with another game in hand, boss Owen Heary is hoping that another positive result can prove a springboard to climb into the top half of the table.
"Friday's result keeps us safe," said Heary. "We can now start looking at the teams ahead of us and not be worrying about the teams behind us.
With one eye on Friday's Ford FAI Cup quarter-final against St Patrick's Athletic, Heary acknowledges the need to make changes but is adamant he will send out a side capable of winning all three points.
"It's not an ideal time to have a game," he said. "We've a massive cup game on Friday away to the league champions but the team we put out in Sligo can't allow that to distract them. The starting eleven we put out will be good enough to go there and try to win”.
One enforced change will see Eoin Wearen watch the game from the stands as he serves a ban for a red card picked up against Bray on Friday.
Monday’s game will also see Stephen Best and Anto Murphy out of action – both suffering from ankle injuries – while Dano Byrne is still struggling with a cruciate problem.
MATCH STATS
Rovers won the only meeting of the sides so far: 2-0 in Dalymount Park back in April.
Just five points separate fifth-placed Sligo Rovers and ninth-placed Bohemians.
This is the first time Rovers have lost the two previous games before an upcoming fixture under John Coleman.
BETTING
Sligo 17/20, Draw 12/5, Bohs 3/1.
PREDICTION
Bohs to win 1-0
Sligo Rovers
Injured: Alan Keane, Jeff Henderson.
Doubtful: Gary Rodgers, John Russell, Seamus Conneely.
Suspended: Danny Ledwith, Ruairi Keating, Paul O’Conor, Iarfhlaith Davoren.
Bohemians
Injured: Stephen Best, Dano Byrne, Anto Murphy.
Doubtful: None
Suspended: Eoin Wearen
