League Preview: Sligo Rovers -v- Galway United

Sligo Rovers return to Premier Division action this Saturday night in a Connaught derby against Galway United at the Showgrounds. Rovers will hope to put behind them the last two defeats; away to Wexford Youths in the FAI Cup and Bohimens in the league. Rovers currently sit fifth in the league, two places and four points ahead of Galway. 

SLIGO ROVERS

Rovers are without Gavin Peers who is suspended for this game. Speaking about the game manager Dave Roberston told the club’s official website; “What we have taken from the two defeats is that everyone understands the pressure and expectations that are on us and we understand that. That is what happens when we go on a good run like we did, it generates expectations.

“We sat down with the players this week and raised the question of the rest of the season. The important thing is that we finish with as many points as possible. We will look to build momentum and finish as high as we can in the table and also to take that into next season. That process starts tomorrow night against Galway. 

“Tomorrow we continuing our good home run is exactly what we are looking for. We need to maintain the form that we have shown at The Showgrounds all season. Our last night at home against shamrock Rovers was a fantastic one for everyone involved. What we want to do now is reproduce those performance levels again.

“With it being a big local derby game tomorrow I expect there will be a good crowd getting behind the team. I expect a very tight game. I think there will be just one goal in it between the teams. Tommy Dunne has done a fantastic job with the club there and both teams will be going into this game looking for three points. It will be fiercely competitive. 

“We do know that Galway are a good footballing side and we expect a good game to watch. This is the sort of game we look forward with the games between us so far being a draw at home and a win by a single goal away. This game will make all the difference with where we finish in this season’s league table.”

GALWAY UNITED

Galway will be hoping to bounce back from losing their last two games. Speaking ahead of the game manager Tommy Dunne told the Galway United website; "It’s an important game for the football club. Our last two results have made every game from now until the end of the season even more important.

“We travel to Sligo, we played extremely well the last time we were there, without picking up the points we truly deserved. Sligo have been on a good run. The last two games have been a bit of a setback for them. From our side, we felt we should have got something out of the Bray game. We performed reasonably okay, but we need to improve. We’re hoping to step it up for the Sligo game on Saturday.”

Referee: David McKeon

MATCH FACTS

Rovers are twelve games unbeaten in the league this season. Only Shamrock Rovers have beaten the Bit O'Red at home this season.

Over 20 years ago was the last league win for Galway United in The Showgrounds. It was on Match 16 during the 1995-96 season with a 2-0 win. There have been 19 games between the teams in The Showgrounds since.

The last Bit O’Red hat-trick was scored in a game against Galway United at The Showgrounds. It was scored by Matthew Blinkhorn. He scored in the 27th, 55th and 89th minutes of the 7-1 win. It was his second of the year against the same opposition having registered a triple in the 8-0 away win against Galway in July of 2010.

BETTING

Sligo Rovers 5/6; Draw 5/2; Galway United 3/1.

PREDICTION

Sligo Rovers 2-0 Galway United

Sligo Rovers

Injured: None.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: Gavin Peers.

Galway United

Injured: None.

Doubtful: Vinny Faherty (Knee).

Suspended: None.