League Preview: Sligo Rovers -v- Waterford
Waterford celebrate a Padraig Amond goal against St. Pat's last Monday Credit: Hugh de Paor (ETPhotos)
SLIGO ROVERS
Injury-hit Sligo Rovers host Waterford at the Showgrounds on Friday night (kick-off is at 7.45pm).
The BIt O’Red are set to be without quartet Will Fitzgerald, Fabrice Hartmann, Max Mata and Wilson Waweru - while long-term absentees Nando Pijnaker and John Mahon remain out.
Sligo saw off the Blues in their last encounter at the RSC thanks to Ellis Chapman’s goal in March - but boss John Russell is hoping his side can replicate their win.
“Our last game with Waterford was a very tight affair and I expect no different this time around”, he said.
“The players are fully focused on getting a positive result in front of our home supporters. We need them right behind us in what is a big weekend with two home fixtures.”
WATERFORD
Blues manager Keith Long has called for calm ahead of Waterford’s trip to the Showgrounds to face Sligo Rovers.
The Blues fell to a 2-0 loss at home to Derry City last weekend - but Long has pleaded for calm.
“The boys are working extremely hard,” Long said when speaking to LOI TV. “We’re a promoted team in the Premier Division and I don’t know what people expect from us.
“We want to play with more energy, aggression and create more chances. But this is life in the Premier Division and it is a tough league.
“Every game is big and you don’t need to big any game up more than it is. But we’ll bounce back and we have a good group of players.”
Kacper Skwierczyński remains out injured for Waterford while Harvey Macadam and Ryan Burke are doubts.
Referee: Gavin Colfer.
PREDICTION
Sligo Rovers 2-0 Waterford
Sligo Rovers
Injured: Simon Power, Nando Pijnaker, John Mahon.
Doubtful:Will Fitzgerald, Fabrice Hartmann, Max Mata, Wilson Waweru.
Suspended:None.
Waterford
Injured: Kacper Skwierczyński.
Doubtful:Harvey Macadam, Ryan Burke.
Suspended: None.
