League Preview: Dundalk -v- Sligo Rovers

DUNDALK

Dundalk boss Stephen O’Donnell is hoping that his side can avoid the empty feeling that engulfed his side during their draw against Shelbourne last weekend.

The Lilywhites host the Bit O’ Red at Oriel Park on Friday night at 7.45pm knowing that a win would go a way to ensuring their place in European competition next season.

And O’Donnell will be hoping that his side can respond from their draw against the Reds last weekend.

“There was a bit of an empty feeling after the 1-1 draw with Shelbourne last Sunday,” he told his club’s media team.

“From a points perspective, draws don’t do an awful lot for your league position but it kept a bit of momentum going.

“It leaves us outside the top four but we know if we do our business right, we’ll have lots of opportunities to close the gap because the teams ahead of us will be playing each other over the coming weeks.

“We just need to focus on ourselves and we need to go on a good run between now and the end of the season to try and force our way into those positions.”

SLIGO ROVERS

Struggling Sligo Rovers visit Dundalk knowing that a win would be a welcome boost in their bid to avoid a relegation play-off.

Rovers have already lost Max Mata to Shrewsbury Town in League One while Luke McNicholas is reportedly on his way out of the club to join Wrexham.

And they are just seven points clear of Cork City in ninth as the Leesiders seek to rein in Sligo ahead of the final round of fixtures.

“It’s difficult to put a finger on it with the form we have displayed this season.

“None of us go out on the pitch to have a poor game so it’s very frustrating for the players and I know the supporters are so disappointed,” Cawley said this week when speaking ahead of his testimonial this weekend.

 “We have to fix this, we have to sort it out and get a bit of a run going, we still have plenty to play for.

“I have experienced both sides of the coin, the good days and the days that haven’t been so good.

“The main requirement when it’s not going well is to have the desire and determination to turn it around.”

Referee: Adriano Reale.

PREDICTION

Dundalk 2-0 Sligo Rovers

Dundalk

Injured: Robbie Benson, John Mountney, Keith Ward.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

Sligo Rovers

Injured: Will Fitzgerald, Garry Boylan, Mark Byrne.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: Richard Brush, Daniel Lafferty.