League Preview: Limerick FC -v- Sligo Rovers

LIMERICK FC

It's been a tough season so far for Limerick. After 21 games they are still without a win and last week's 4-1 loss away to Shamrock Rovers further added to their troubles. Perhaps the only highlight for Limerick against Rovers was the Shane Tracey long range effort that was parried into the path of Ian Turner who scored. Manager Martin Russell has tried to remain upbeat and knows a win against fellow relegation battlers Sligo Rovers would provide a timely boost in both points and morale.

The squad has lost players Aidan Price (who has become the new Shamrock Rovers U17 manager) and Jason Hughes (next opponents Sligo Rovers) this week. However, Shaun Kelly has rejoined the club after a stint with Derry City, while Congo-born defender Patrick Kanyuka signed from Thai side Roi Et United and forward Cyril Guedjé arrived on loan from Saint Patrick's Athletic.

The Blues' biggest concern is in defence. They have conceded 49 goals so far, the most of all 20 League of Ireland clubs at this stage in the campaign. They have only one cleansheet, and that was from the 0-0 draw in The Brandywell against Derry City two weeks ago.

The Shannonsiders' first cleansheet coincided with the debut of goalkeeper Freddy Hall who is currently the number one for the Bermuda national team. Speaking to the Extratime.ie Sportscast, he said: "We definitely have to get something out of that game [Sligo Rovers], teams around us we have to pick up points and definitely even pick up victories because we need to catch them, and I think we are more than capable of doing it."

Current players Shane Duggan, Vinny Faherty , Sean Russell, Dean Clarke have two goals each while Limerick's top scorers Paul O'Conor (three goals) and Ian Turner (four) have shown that there are positives surrounding the side going into this crunch tie. A defeat, though, and they will be 13 points behind Sligo and facing the harsh reality of being relegation-bound.

SLIGO ROVERS

Sligo Rovers suffered a disappointing 3-0 loss to an in-form St. Patrick's Athletic side at the Showgrounds last week and the management team of Joseph Ndo and Gavin Dykes still have work to do to find a consistent winning formula.

Since taking charge, the management duo have made dynamic additions to try get the Bit O'Red back on track. Midfielder Jason Hughes, defenders Patrick Nzuzi and Tim Clancy plus striker Rob Lehane have joined the club this week.

Club captain Gavin Peers knows what's at stake at this stage of the season, telling sligorovers.com: "I think every game is massive now. We need to start winning and I don't think one win is going to turn anything."

To heap further pressure on the Bit O'Red heading into the game with Limerick is the fact that Derry City recorded their first win since April on Friday, defeating Longford Town 3-0 at the Brandywell.

Referee Robert Rogers.

MATCH STATS

Current Sligo Rovers caretaker manager Joseph Ndo managed Limerick FC for a short spell last year, while new Sligo signings Jason Hughes and Patrick Nzuzi are also both ex-Limerick players.

New Sligo signing Rob Lehane scored a late winner against Limerick last season when his then club Cork City beat The Shannonsiders 1-0 in Thomond Park.

Limerick player Paul O'Conor, who played for the Bit O'Red last season, scored a 94th minute equaliser when the teams played out a 1-1 draw in the Showgrounds back in May.

In June 2015 Limerick returned to Markets Field after a 31 year absence.

BETTING

Limerick 9/4; Draw 9/4; Sligo Rovers 6/5.

PREDICTION

Limerick 2-3 Sligo Rovers.

Limerick

Injured: None.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

Sligo Rovers

Injured: None.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.