League Preview: Sligo Rovers -v- Finn Harps

SLIGO ROVERS

Sligo Rovers take on Finn Harps on Friday night looking for their first win since beating Dundalk 2-1 at the Showgrounds a fortnight ago (kick-off 7.45pm).

Goals from Romeo Parkes and Dante Leverock, either side of Pat Hoban’s penalty, gave Sligo the three points on the night.

Since then, the Bit o’ Red have played out scoreless draws against Waterford and Cork City and lost 2-1 to St. Patrick’s Athletic.

Ronan Murray is again available after serving a four-game suspension while Daryl Fordyce has recovered from illness.

Kyle Callan-McFadden is doubtful with a hand injury and goalscorers in that game against Dundalk, Parkes and Leverock, may be available depending on a pre-game test after the pair both trained during the week.

“We were happier with the performance on Monday (vs Cork). We put a few things right in terms of not giving away poor goals,” said manager Liam Buckley.

#“I’d like to us to be better in other parts of the game but there is a tremendous honesty in the group and there is more to come in terms of what they can produce.

“We have had to cope with a lot of absentees and to be honest I had used every available fully fit outfield player by the time that game was finished.

“We’d love to get three points and get up that table. It’s a derby game, it’ll be extremely hard-fought and we’ll be giving it our all to get the win.”

FINN HARPS

Finn Harps will go to the Showgrounds on Friday night in search of their first league win of the season

Ollie Horgan’s side have picked up two points from their first 13 league games this season, in draws against Dundalk and St. Patrick’s Athletic.

Harps did play and beat Sligo earlier this month in the EA Sports Cup. In that game, Mark Coyle gave Harps the lead with in the 86th minute before Dante Leverock hit back with an equaliser with just two minutes to play.

However, Stephen Doherty struck in the first half of extratime to send Harps through to the next round of the competition.

Harps will be without the suspended Colm Deasy while Harry Ascroft, Mark Timlin, Gareth Harkin and Ciaran Gallagher are all injured.

“It’s not for the lack of trying to get more goals and chances have come our way but we just haven’t been finishing,” said Horgan.

“We had a few opportunities in the Pat’s game on Monday night but again we failed to find the net.

“That was disappointing but obviously the confidence levels are not high at the moment because of the poor run of results.

“But all we can do is go out tomorrow night and be mentally strong and believe that we can change the course of season at the Showgrounds.

“We’re not in a good place going to Sligo but we are determined to try and change that and need to do so quickly so as we are not cut further adrift at the bottom of the table.”

Referee: Ben Connolly.

MATCH STATS

Both meetings between these sides this season have ended in 2-1 victories, with one win for each side, Sligo’s in the league and Harps in the EA Sports Cup.

Harps have two points from thirteen league games and have scored just seven goals in that time.

On the other hand, Sligo have scored just one goal more than Harps but have three wins to their name and sit ten points ahead of Harps.

BETTING

Sligo Rovers 4/5; Draw 12/5; Finn Harps 10/3.

PREDICTION

Sligo Rovers 2–0 Finn Harps

Sligo Rovers

Injured: None.

Doubtful: Romeo Parkes, Dante Leverock, Kyle-Callan-McFadden.

Suspended: None.

Finn Harps

Injured: Harry Ascroft, Mark Timlin, Gareth Harkin, Ciaran Gallagher.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: Colm Deasy.