Dundalk -v- Sligo Rovers

DUNDALK

Dundalk welcome league leaders Sligo Rovers to Oriel Park on Friday evening, with the Lilywhites aiming to record only their second home win of the season. Manager Seán McCaffrey finds his team two points off the bottom and badly in need of a run of good results.

A fixture against the league leaders would not seem like a prime opportunity to begin an upswing in form but in his programme notes, McCaffrey did not seem apprehensive of facing Sligo: “I am looking forward to playing this match. They are a footballing side and they are top of the league; deservedly so.”

“I don’t mind playing Sligo because their style of play suits us, unlike playing Drogheda. It isn’t a physical battle, which is great for us,” stated McCaffrey.

Despite losing 3-0 away to Sligo earlier in the campaign, McCaffrey saw signs of what his inexperienced side could produce in that game: “We produced probably our best half of football against Sligo at The Showgrounds in March and I see no reason why we can’t do the same at Oriel Park”. However the record will show that Dundalk have only won twice in the league since.

Friday’s match will see Scottish goalkeeper Peter Cherrie make his 120th start for Dundalk, however his regular understudy, Ger Hanley will be out for up to two months after breaking his wrist against UCD last week. Also absent will be the young duo of defender Ben McLaughlin and striker Bob McKenna, who are both on holidays.

On a positive note, Michael Rafter and Stephen McDonnell will be available following suspension. Seventeen-year-old central midfielder Conor McDonald, who impressed in Monday’s EA Sports Cup penalty shoot-out defeat to Drogheda United, could be in line for his full club debut, after coming on at half-time.

SLIGO ROVERS

League leaders Sligo Rovers make their delayed return to league action following the cancellation of last week’s meeting with the now defunct Monaghan United. In the time since their last fixture (a scoreless draw with Bohemians at Dalymount Park on June 1st) the Bit O’ Red’s lead at the summit has been cut to just four points.

Boosted by a comprehensive 4-0 victory over Derry city in the league cup on Tuesday night, Rovers’ boss Ian Baraclough was pleased with his team ahead the trip to Oriel Park.  “It is going to be a hard game for us on Friday. Dundalk will put us under pressure from the start and make it difficult, it's a tough place to go. If we pass the ball like we did against Derry and take our chances in front of goal, which was key, we’ll give ourselves a great chance. It has been a long wait for a return to league action so we’re looking forward to the game,” said Baraclough.

Tuesday’s match also saw the return from injury of Joseph Ndo, who came through his 75 minutes at The Showgrounds, which delighted Baraclough: “It was good for Joseph to come back, he worked hard to make his return and showed no ill-effects. Joseph looks after himself very well and worked on his fitness so I was delighted to see him back in the side. He gives us that little bit of extra experience in midfield and it’s great to have him in the squad.”

Sligo will be without Alan Keane and Jason McGuinness, who are suspended for the trip to Oriel Park, while former Dundalk striker Mark Quigley is a doubt with a calf problem that kept him out of the Derry game.

Referee: Dave McKeon.

MATCH STATS

Dundalk have the worst home record in the Premier Division, recording just one win (over UCD on March 23rd) in their six matches at Oriel Park.

Sligo Rovers have not won away from The Showgrounds since they beat Drogheda United 3-1 on May 4th.

Sligo’s last visit to Oriel Park ended in a 1-1 draw, with a Gavin Peers header canceling out an early Jason Byrne goal.

BETTING

Dundalk 15/2; Draw 3/1; Sligo Rovers 2/5.

PREDICTION

Dundalk 0-2 Sligo Rovers

Dundalk Injury News: Ger Hanley (broken wrist).

Dundalk Suspension News: None.

Sligo Rovers Injury News: None.

Sligo Rovers Suspension News: Alan Keane, Jason McGuinness.