League Preview: Sligo Rovers -v- Shamrock Rovers

Sligo Rovers will be looking to pick up their first points of the season as they welcome an unbeaten Shamrock Rovers to the Showgrounds this Saturday evening for the SSE Airtricity Premier Division clash (Kick-off is 8pm).

SLIGO ROVERS

Liam Buckley’s men will be looking to improve on their first three games of the season, in which they have failed to score in any of them. Defeats to Finn Harps, St Pats and Bohemians FC have left the Bit ’O Red at the foot of the table in these early stages of the league and will have to be at their very best to cause an upset against the leagues in-form team. Buckley is in no doubt it will be a difficult task but is confident his team are up for the challenge. He spoke to the media during the week.

‘It’s going to be very difficult against a strong opposition on Saturday. We’ve worked on bits and pieces during the week to help us get something from the game.

It’s not going to be easy and it’s one of the most difficult games in a hard league but we’re going to be ready for it’.

Sligo have a few players out injured, with defenders, John Mahon (broken leg), Lewis Banks (groin) and Danny Kane (ankle) all out injured.  Regan Donelon and Johnny Dunleavy are both doubts and will be assessed before the game. New signing, Ryan De Vries is line to make his debut and Buckley hinted the striker may play some part in the game.

‘Ryan De Vries has trained with us for a couple of days, he’s going to add to what we have here. We’ll see what role he will play in the game’.

SHAMROCK ROVERS

Shamrock Rovers will be looking to keep up their good early season form and stay three points ahead of title rivals Dundalk. They go into the game with top scorer Graham Burke still out injured. Rhys Marshall, Sean Kavanagh are also out. Joey O Brien (hamstring) and Dean Williams are both doubts for the game. Gary O’Neil returns to squad.

Speaking to media before the game, manager Stephen Bradley knows his side are going to be in for a tough game Infront of what he expects to be a bumper crowd at the Showgrounds.

‘We know that our results in Sligo haven’t been good enough from our point of view. They always get a good crowd and they get behind them, so we know it’s going to be difficult but we’re going there fully focussed with a game plan to go and win three points.’

Despite Sligo’s poor start, Bradley is taking nothing for granted and feels they need to be fully focussed if his side are to keep pace at the top of the Premier Division.

‘I’ve watched all their games and there was nothing in them really. In the Pats’ game there wasn’t much in it and the Bohemians game they had chances as well. We know the threats they have but we’ll go there fully focussed.’

Referee: Paul McLaughlin

Match Stats:

Sligo Rovers have failed to score in their first three games of the season, conceding five goals in those games

Sligo Rovers ended last season with three defeat in a row, there last win coming against relegated UCD in a 2-0 win at Belfield.

The last time Shamrock Rovers didn’t win a game was against Sligo Rovers at the end of last season (0-0)

Shamrock Rovers have kept seven clean sheets in their last eight league games, continuing from last season, only conceding the two against Dundalk in their last game.

In the last two meetings between these two clubs, the score has ended up 0-0. (Due a goal fest!)

Shamrock Rovers have failed to win at the Showgrounds in their last six attempts, drawing three and losing three. This run stretches back to 2016.

Extratime.ie Prediction: 2-1- win Shamrock Rovers

Match Odds: Sligo Rovers 11/1   Draw 9/2   Shamrock Rovers 2/9.