Sligo Rovers -v- Shamrock Rovers
Credit:
Airtricity League leaders Shamrock Rovers travel west to the
Showgrounds to meet fourth placed Sligo Rovers in an eagerly
anticipated clash. Kick off 7.35pm.
The visitors go into this game with the greater form of the last month with an eleven points amassed from a possible fifteen from their past five games compared to the eight points registered by their Western counterparts. Likewise Shamrock Rovers have a better record in the head to heads of these teams this season, with a win both home and away each in the Airtricity league and in the Setanta Sports Cup, showing the Dublin side to have beaten the Bit O'Red four times from four encounters.
Shamrock Rovers could be without Karl Sheppard and Ken Oman with troubles with the ankle and calf respectively. The league leaders are at full strength otherwise for the match at the Showgrounds. Despite the greater form over the past month, Shamrock Rovers do however travel into Friday night’s televised fixture on the back of an indifferent performance against Dundalk when they were lucky to come away with a point, needing a 92nd minute equaliser from Billy Dennehy.
Michael O'Neill said of his teams preparation following the Dundalk fixture, "We were pleased with the spirit and determination not to be beaten shown by the players on Tuesday; however the lads know that it was not one of their better performances. We have always responded well to disappointment, which Tuesday was for us."
As stated above however, the Hoops have a great record against Sligo Rovers both in Dublin and in Sligo, a record O'Neill is looking to continue, "We’re looking forward to the game in Sligo. Our record there has been excellent there in the last two seasons, and we will be aiming to maintain that.”
Sligo, for their part, have kept six clean sheets in their previous seven games and have scored an impressive fifteen goals in the last five league games adding to the anticipation of this mouth watering clash. Iarfhlaith Davoren is the only injury concern for the Bit O'Red as he nurses a knock. A check on his availability will be made closer to kick off.
Last time out Sligo were unlucky to only come away from Derry City with only a point after they dominated the second half proceedings but the performance was one to cherish for manager Paul Cook, he said of that encounter and the build up to the Hoops clash, “It’s a big game and one we are very much looking forward to. We’ll pick a team on Friday night that will try to win the game like we always do. The first half in Derry was difficult but we improved a lot in the second half and it was a good point in the end."
Sligo Rovers
Injured:None
Doubtful: Iarfhlaith Davoren
Suspended:None.
Shamrock Rovers
Injured:None.
Doubtful:Karl Sheppard, Ken Oman
Suspended:None.
Referee:Anthony Buttimer
Paddy Power Odds: Home 15/8 Draw 11/5 Away 7/5
Extratime prediction: Shamrocks to continue their hoodoo over the Bit O'Red by two goals to one.
The visitors go into this game with the greater form of the last month with an eleven points amassed from a possible fifteen from their past five games compared to the eight points registered by their Western counterparts. Likewise Shamrock Rovers have a better record in the head to heads of these teams this season, with a win both home and away each in the Airtricity league and in the Setanta Sports Cup, showing the Dublin side to have beaten the Bit O'Red four times from four encounters.
Shamrock Rovers could be without Karl Sheppard and Ken Oman with troubles with the ankle and calf respectively. The league leaders are at full strength otherwise for the match at the Showgrounds. Despite the greater form over the past month, Shamrock Rovers do however travel into Friday night’s televised fixture on the back of an indifferent performance against Dundalk when they were lucky to come away with a point, needing a 92nd minute equaliser from Billy Dennehy.
Michael O'Neill said of his teams preparation following the Dundalk fixture, "We were pleased with the spirit and determination not to be beaten shown by the players on Tuesday; however the lads know that it was not one of their better performances. We have always responded well to disappointment, which Tuesday was for us."
As stated above however, the Hoops have a great record against Sligo Rovers both in Dublin and in Sligo, a record O'Neill is looking to continue, "We’re looking forward to the game in Sligo. Our record there has been excellent there in the last two seasons, and we will be aiming to maintain that.”
Sligo, for their part, have kept six clean sheets in their previous seven games and have scored an impressive fifteen goals in the last five league games adding to the anticipation of this mouth watering clash. Iarfhlaith Davoren is the only injury concern for the Bit O'Red as he nurses a knock. A check on his availability will be made closer to kick off.
Last time out Sligo were unlucky to only come away from Derry City with only a point after they dominated the second half proceedings but the performance was one to cherish for manager Paul Cook, he said of that encounter and the build up to the Hoops clash, “It’s a big game and one we are very much looking forward to. We’ll pick a team on Friday night that will try to win the game like we always do. The first half in Derry was difficult but we improved a lot in the second half and it was a good point in the end."
Sligo Rovers
Injured:None
Doubtful: Iarfhlaith Davoren
Suspended:None.
Shamrock Rovers
Injured:None.
Doubtful:Karl Sheppard, Ken Oman
Suspended:None.
Referee:Anthony Buttimer
Paddy Power Odds: Home 15/8 Draw 11/5 Away 7/5
Extratime prediction: Shamrocks to continue their hoodoo over the Bit O'Red by two goals to one.
