League Preview: Dundalk -v- Sligo Rovers

DUNDALK FC

Champions Dundalk will entertain Sligo Rovers at Oriel Park on Friday night looking to record their first home win in all competitions since they defeated Finn Harps 3-0 over a month ago.

The Lilywhites looked slick and potent when easily despatching a beleaguered Longford Town side in the midlands last Saturday evening by four goals to nil. Ronan Finn’s first hat-trick for the club accompanied Brian Gartland’s powerful header, which marked Dundalk’s 1,000^th Premier Division goal sealed a facile victory over Tony Cousins’ men.

The significant margin of the victory means that Stephen Kenny’s men top the Premier Division table ahead of Kenny Shiels’ Derry City, a position they are well acquainted with having secured back-to-back league titles.

However, Dundalk’s inconsistent home form this season, which include a win, a draw and a defeat may cause manager Stephen Kenny some concern ahead of the visit of the Westerners, who themselves secured a league draw in Oriel Park last September following Alan Keane’s stunning second half equaliser.

Ahead of tomorrow night’s match, Stephen Kenny stressed the need for his side to earn the win, acknowledging the positive results that the Bit O’ Red have gained recently.

“Sligo have got two decent results in the past few weeks with the draws against Pat’s and Cork so we know that we will have to earn the win, we have to earn the three points and we’ll be ready for the game.”

Dundalk will be without recent additions Patrick McEleney and Robbie Benson, as well as young striker Ciaran O’Connor who suffered a broken metatarsal in last weekend’s match, for tomorrow’s game. However, Chris Shields returns to the squad following his one-match suspension.

Former Sligo Rovers league winner and current Dundalk FC ‘keeper Gary Rogers too stressed the difficulty of Friday’s visit of Sligo. “I got to look at Sligo last week and they were very good, very lively against Pat’s They’ll come here with a game plan and set up to get something.”

SLIGO ROVERS

Sligo Rovers manager Dave Robertson has been pleased with his side’s recent improvement in performances and results following draws with both, St. Patrick’s Athletic and Cork City in consecutive outings.

The former Peterborough United manager has also insisted that his side will have to continue to produce such performances if they are to avoid a relegation struggle and elevate themselves towards the top-half of the Premier Division standings.

“We will definitely go there with confidence; we have been happy with our performances in the last two games. We have set the standards now for ourselves in the last fortnight and that is what we have to maintain tomorrow and all season. We have done plenty of homework on Dundalk. I have watched them three times myself and we know exactly what to expect from them. We will also be prepared to deal with any tactical changes they may make on the night,” Robertson said.

However, the fact remains that the Bit O’ Red are only off the foot of the table on goal difference from Bray Wanderers and Longford Town, and are without a league win all season despite picking up points from four of their first seven league matches.

A major factor in their failure to pick up three points from a league encounter this season is their seeming inability to score goals. Indeed, they are the league lowest goal scorers, having registered only four league finishes all season.

Robertson remains optimistic though regarding his striking options and is excited about Friday night’s trip east to the home of the champions. “I think it is mainly about getting a bit of confidence. Technically we have excellent finishers at the club; all our centre forwards are good finishers. I have just been telling them they need to show more confidence and be more instinctive in front of goal.”

“I am excited to be up against this team (Dundalk FC). They have been consistently strong for a good number of years. Tactically we have a good idea of how we want the game to go. It is a game that I am looking forward to and I think will be a good match to watch.”

Referee: Ben Connolly

MATCH STATS

Friday night’s match will be the 221^st meeting between the sides in all competitions. The current standings are: Dundalk 100 wins; Drawn 50; Sligo 70 wins.

There hasn’t been a scoreless draw between the sides in a Premier Division match at Oriel Park since 1964. Although, the sides did draw a game at the venue in the First Division almost ten years ago.

While Sligo don’t boast any former Dundalk players within their team, four current Lilywhites, Darren Meenan, Daryl Horgan, Gary Rogers and David McMillan will face their former employer’s tomorrow night.

MATCH BETTING

Dundalk FC 1/4; Draw 9/2; Sligo Rovers 12/1

PREDICTION

Dundalk FC 2-0 Sligo Rovers

DUNDALK FC

Injuries: Robbie Benson (ankle), Patrick McEleney (groin) & Ciaran O’Connor (foot)

Doubtful: Unknown

Suspended: None

SLIGO ROVERS

Injuries: None

Doubtful: Tim Clancy & Gavin Peers

Suspension: None