League Preview: Sligo Rovers -v- Bray Wanderers

Sligo Rovers welcome Bray Wanderers to the Showgrounds in the latest round of Premier Division games. Bray have started the season brightly and sit fourth in the table while Sligo have yet to pick up a League victory this campaign.

SLIGO ROVERS

Sligo are likely to be without Regan Donelon as he is still suffering from a heavy knock to his ankle sustained against St. Pat’s that kept him out of the game in Cork. Dave Robertson will be hoping to have Micheal Schlingermann back between the posts after he received the all clear on an MRI scan.

Kyle Callan-McFadden should also feature after taking part in training during the week.

Speaking ahead of the game Dave Robertson told the club’s official website; 

“There was lots of positives for us to take from the performance against Cork. I was really disappointed for the players because they gave everything. It was two long ball that caught us out at the back. But I thought that our attacking play and our defensive structure were really pleasing, Turner’s Cross is a very tough place for any team to go.

“I want to see much of the same for tomorrow against Bray. We will need to attack well and with vibrancy while retaining our solid defensive structure.

“It is an area that I have been dealing with the players this week in training and we have spoken about as a group. It is something that is important to us. We need to make sure we manage this better with our attacking play and without the ball. We have experience in the group in Mick Leahy, Craig Roddan, John Russell and Raff Cretaro and their leadership will make sure that we manage the games better.

“The same as always we will respect our opponents. They have a great attacking threat on the wings and with the new centre forward, Anto Flood as well as being robust in midfield. We will have to try to attack and get at their defence to put them under pressure. The import thing is that we will have to play on the front foot and get some points on the board, that is vitally important for us as a team and for the club.”

BRAY WANDERERS

Wanderers will again be without Karl Moore due to a groin strain, while there are doubts over the fitness of Keith Buckley.

Speaking ahead of the game, Bray manager Harry Kenny told the club’s official website; 

"It was good to get back to winning ways on Monday night against Drogheda. I felt it was a much improved performance following our defeat to Bohs. We’re looking forward to the Sligo game Saturday and will go into the match with some confidence following the game last Monday. Sligo will be in determined mood to kick start their season and we’re unlucky not to take something from Cork City on Monday night”.

Referee: Paul Tuite

MATCH STATS

The last time Sligo and Bray played, the game heralded a landmark for Rovers keeper Micheál Schlingermann who made his 150th career appearance on the day. 

Bray's Gary McCabe had a successful season with the Bit O'Red back in 2010, where he won the FAI Cup and the EA Sports Cup. Mc Cane played 43 times for Rovers that season, scoring 4 goals

Sligo’s last win against Bray was back in September 2016. Dinny Corcoran, Sander Puri and Morten Neilsen scored as the Bit O'Red beat Bray 3-2. That win went along way to helping them beat the drop that season.

BETTING

Rovers 2/1, Draw 23/10, Bray 11/8

PREDICTION

Sligo Rovers 0-1 Bray Wanderers

Sligo Rovers

Injured: Regan Donolon

Doubtful: Michael Schlingermann, Kyle Mc Callum-Fadden, John Russell

Suspended: None

Bray Wanderers

Injured: Karl Moore

Doubtful: Keith Buckley

Suspended: None