League Preview: Sligo Rovers -v- Derry City

Sligo Rovers welcome North West rivals Derry City to the Showgrounds this Monday night.With only three points betweem thr teams thanks to the Bit O'Red winning four nil last time out against Drogheda.

SLIGO ROVERS

Sligo manager Micky Adams will be hoping to get his first home win as Rovers manager this Monday night. With new signing Anthony Elding getting on the scoresheet against Drogheda Adams has some hard decisions to make about who'll lead the Bit O'Red attack.

Speaking ahead of the game Rovers manager Micky Adams told the club's official website about tiredness after Friday’s game, his thoughts on playing Derry and having John Russell back in the team.

“I wouldn’t think tiredness should be an issue. The players have recovered well over the weekend so I am not expecting tiredness to be a factor in the game. There is three days in between both games so that should be enough time. We are not the finished article by any means.

“Friday night was very much a welcome three points for us – it has given a huge lift to everyone. But we know that if we don’t reach the same levels against Derry we will be beat. I watched Derry in their game against Galway and they were very, very good.

“To have that sort of experience in the team in the position we find ourselves in is vital. He’s been there before which is very important. But it’s never about one player it’s about everybody in the squad performing.”

DERRY CITY

Derry go into the game after suffering a two nil defeat to Champions Dundalk in the last round of games. Manager Peter Hutton will be hoping his charges can get a result that will open a gap between Derry and those at the bottom of the table especially with fellow stragglers Drogheda visiting the Brandywell after the FAI Cup matches are over with next weekend.

Referee: Padraigh Sutton.

MATCH STATS

This will be the third North-west Derby of the 2015 SSE Airtricity League season and there has been nothing between the teams so far with both previous meetings ending 1-1.

Derry currently hold the upper hand between the teams, in the last seven in all competitions they have won four of the games and have not lost the other three.

These two have played each other seven times at the Showgrounds in the League since Derry manage to leave victorious – that win was in August 2009.

BETTING

Sligo Rovers 11/8; Draw 23/10; Derry City 15/8.

PREDICTION

Sligo Rovers 2 - 0 Derry City

Sligo Rovers

Injured: Jeff Henderson, Kevin Devaney.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: Gavin Peers.

Derry City

Injured: Ryan McBride, Stephen Dooley.

Doubtful: Patrick McEleney.

Suspended: Conor McCormack.