League Preview: Sligo Rovers - v - Bohemians

SLIGO ROVERS

The Bit O’Red will welcome visitors Bohemians to the Showgrounds on Saturday night in a crucial must win game (kick off 7.45pm). With just three games remaining every match has become a cup final for Sligo who lie in 10^th place just two points ahead of bottom club Limerick FC.

Last time out Rovers had a hard earned 1-1 draw against Longford Town. Manager Micky Adams will be hoping for a repetition of the same determination and spirit which saw his side earn a precious point despite being down to ten men for over an hour following the dismissal of Tim Clancy.

Adams told www.sligoroversfc.ie “We showed a lot of spirit and character in the Longford Town game last weekend to hang in the game and get a point and that is what we have to do and show tomorrow as well.

"We also have to make sure we do not do stupid things and keep our discipline like last week. But if we can show that kind of spirit we should be fine.”

Rafael Cretaro who made his 500^th league appearance last week and he will be hoping to inspire Sligo to an important victory over his formter team Bohs.

A win for the Connaught side will see them move a step closer towards maintaining their top flight status for next season with significant games to come against St. Patrick’s Athletic (away) and Limerick FC (home)  before the end of the season.

You can also listen to Micky Adams’ interview on our latest Extratime.ie Sportscast.

BOHEMIANS

Bohs go into this fixture buoyed by their impressive 2-0 win over St. Patrick’s Athletic last weekend thanks to goals from Anto Murphy and Karl Moore. That victory moved the Gypsies moved them to within four points of Pats in the race for fourth  place.

However following Friday’s win for Pat’s over Drogheda, if after Saturday Bohs are to still be in the search to secure that final Europa League spot they must beat Sligo. Bohs boss Keith Long is confident going into this game that his side can reproduce a similar performance to last week but is not taking Sligo.

Speaking to bohemiansfc.ie he said “Sligo is a tough place to go. They have a squad full of quality and they have three games to maintain their Premier Division status. They will set about doing that on Saturday”.

Similar to the Bit o’Red, the Gypsies need to win every game to give themselves a chance of overhauling their Dublin neighbours and three points tomorrow night will see them continue their recent good form and add further belief with tough encounters to come against Derry City (away) and Cork City (home).

Referee: Paul McLaughlin

MATCH STATISTICS

In the two previous meetings this season, Bohs have managed to get the better of Sligo with four points from a possible six thanks to a 0-0 draw at the Showgrounds and a 1-0 win courtesy of Ishmahil Akinade’s goal on the half hour at Dalymount Park.

Sligo have been struggling as of late with just one win in their last five games while Bohs are now unbeaten in their last five outings.

Sligo were unbeaten in the league against Bohs last season – winning home (3-2) and away (2-0) before their final meeting of the season finished in Dalymount Park in a 2-2 draw.

BETTING

Sligo Rovers 5/4 Draw 23/10 Bohemians 21/10.

PREDICTION

Sligo Rovers 1-1 Bohemians

Sligo Rovers

Suspensions: Tim Clancy

Doubtful: Ryan Coulter (thumb), Richard Brush (illness)

Injuries: John Russell (hip), Jeff Henderson (foot)

Bohemians

Suspensions: None

Doubtful: None

Injuries: Stephen Best (thigh), Derek Prendergast (calf) and Lorcan Fitzgerald (groin)