League Preview: Sligo Rovers -v- Shamrock Rovers

SLIGO ROVERS

Sligo Rovers are seeking their first home win of the season at their third attempt when they welcome Shamrock Rovers to the Showgrounds on Saturday night but the Bit O’ Red will be buoyed by their bumper 5-0 away win in Dundalk last Monday.

That victory inflicted the Lilywhites’ worst home league loss in 34 years and John Russell’s side are looking to make it back-to-back league wins. A victory would push them into third in the table and would open up a gap of six points over Shamrock Rovers.

“It was vital to pick up the three points on Monday night in what is such a tight and competitive league”, said John Russell speaking to his club’s media team about their win in Oriel Park. 

“We’ve shown a real hunger and desire in all our games so far but against Dundalk we managed to add that ruthlessness in the final third.

 “We know the quality Shamrock Rovers bring coming into the game this Saturday. They have players that can hurt you all over the pitch. They have set the benchmark for the past few seasons but it’s important that we focus on ourselves.

“I have such believe in this group of players and staff. If we continue to work hard and improve our connections we will get our rewards over the course of the year.

When the sides met in their opening fixture of last season, the 4,248 spectators packed into the Showgrounds saw a dramatic conclusion to the game. The Hoops had taken a first half lead through Graham Burke but Pico Lopes straight red card for a clash with Kailin Barlow proved costly for the champions. Lukas Browning scored a 95^th minute equaliser to the delight of the home supporters in the Showgrounds.

However the Hoops won the other three league games between the sides last season scoring nine goals in those matches.

“I know our supporters look forward to this game every year so we’re expecting an electric atmosphere on Saturday,” said Russell. “The players really feed off that energy in the stands so we will need them right behind us all night.”

SHAMROCK ROVERS

The Hoops have yet to win a league game this season. They have two points from their first three games – the same tally the champions had at this stage of last season.

They are seeking their fourth win in a row over Sligo Rovers on Saturday night to kick start their league defence.

“I said before the season that we have no divine right to win any game of football,” said Hoops Head Coach Stephen Bradley when speaking about his team’s slow start to the season to shamrockrovers.ie.

Rovers earned a point against Dundalk and Derry City at home and in between lost 2-1 to Shelbourne (with their home game against Drogheda United falling foul of the snow).

“What happened in the past is done, so it’s about what’s in front of us now. Winning games is extremely difficult, I know this group of players has won a lot in the last five years but we can’t take that for granted, as a team or as a club.

“Every game we face is difficult, so we must stay focussed, keep doing what we do, keep improving the performances. You look at the game against Shels, we had that 30-minute spell we weren’t good, 15 minutes against Derry, so we need to keep improving on that, make sure we can get the complete 90-minute performance as soon as possible. Winning isn’t easy, but these players have made it look that way the last few years. If we trust what we do, we’ll be ok.”

Speaking about his opponents on Saturday night, Bradley said: “Sligo have real pace. We know they’re a danger going forward with that pace, Simon Power who we know from being here has electric pace and Mata up front, so they have real attacking threat. So, we respect that, respect what Sligo bring to the game, but as always, we’ll look to impose ourselves on the game as quickly as possible and take control, that’s our aim in Sligo.”

He will be able to call on Sean Hoare who is available having gone off injured in the first half in the loss to Shels.

Referee: Rob Hennessy

MATCH STATS

Having drawn the game in Sligo at the start of last season, the Hoops beat the Bit O’ Red 2-1 and 4-2 at home with a 3-0 win in the Showgrounds in between.

The 3-0 victory in Sligo was Shamrock Rovers’ largest winning margin over the Bit O’ Red since 2009 when Shane Robinson got a goal and Padraig Amond scored twice for the Hoops.

The Hoops are unbeaten at the Showgrounds since May 2019 when the home side won 2-1 with goals from Daryl Fordyce and Jack Keaney either side of an Aaron Greene goal for the visitors.

PREDICTION

2-1 away win

Sligo Rovers

Injured: John Mahon

Doubtful: None

Suspended: None

Shamrock Rovers

Injured:  Neil Farrugia, Jack Byrne, Sean Kavanagh, Aaron McEneff

Doubtful: Trevor Clarke,

Suspended: None

Stephen Bradley: 'We’re getting a lot of positive praise from politicians and people in government but we’re getting very little action’ - https://t.co/94rjArr8tjhttps://t.co/LJX365EfS3

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