Sligo Rovers -v- Dundalk

SLIGO ROVERS

Sligo Rovers will be aiming to keep their unbeaten start to the season going when they welcome Dundalk to The Showgrounds on Saturday evening.

The home side are off to a great start so far and a win at the weekend would mean they are off to their best league start since the 1936/37 season, the year they also happened to win the League for the first time.
 

Right back Alan Keane will return from suspension and it also looks like Iarfhliath Davoren has made a full recovery from a pre-season injury after playing the full 90 minutes against both Glentoran and Monaghan United last week. Mark Quigley (suspension) and Pascal Millien (unavailable) are out again this week, however, Millien has received his work permit and looks set to be available for selection next week.
 

Dundalk have a relatively young side this season, but Ian Baraclough isn't taking them for granted and doesn't feel there are any weak teams in the Premier Division, as he told sligorovers.com.
 

"Dundalk are coming on the back of a good win and I don’t see any difference between this game and any other home game we have faced so far. It will be just as difficult. We had to work very hard against Monaghan, which is something you have to do when you face any team in this league.

"As far as I have seen so far, there is no weak team in the division. We have to continue to keep our focus and our work-rate in every game. Alan Keane is back this week and that increases the competition for places and allows us to keep the squad a bit fresher.

"The longer we can keep the 100% start in home games going the better. It is impossible to maintain it but certainly it will give us confidence as the series of games goes on. Ten points from 12 is a fantastic start -we’ve set our standard now and we want to maintain it."

DUNDALK
Dundalk will enter their game with joint Premier Division leaders Sligo Rovers feeling a little more confident following their first win of the season against UCD last weekend.
 

Sean McCaffrey may have to plan without up to six players as Mark Griffin and Eoghan Osbourne are both ruled out with injuries, while Luke Danville, Derek Foran, Ben McLaughlin and Stephen McDonnell are all doubts. As a result of these injury concerns, a number of players from the youth squad are expected to be involved.
 

After two dismal displays against St Patrick’s Athletic and Monaghan United, the Lilywhites certainly seem to have recovered since after putting on more impressive displays against Drogheda United in the Louth derby where they picked up a point and the aforementioned victory over UCD last week.
 

Dundalk have a decent record in Sligo, recording two wins and one draw, but the teams which Sean Connor and Ian Foster had their disposable in that time had a lot more experience and quality.
 

Referee: Paul McLaughin

MATCH STATS

Dundalk have recorded two wins and one draw in the past three seasons at The Showgrounds, but have also lost three times.

Before joining Sligo Rovers this season, Ross Gaynor had scored in four of his last five games against The Bit O'Red.
 

The last game between the sides ended in a comfortable 5-0 victory for Sligo - Richie Ryan, Joseph Ndo, John Dillon, Eoin Doyle and Johnny Breen (OG) all getting on the score sheet.
 

BETTING

Sligo Rovers 1/4 Draw 4/1 Dundalk 11/1.

Sligo Rovers Injury News: None

Sligo Rovers Suspension News: Mark Quigley

Dundalk Injury News: Mark Griffin, Eoghan Osbourne
Dundalk Suspension News: None