Shelbourne -v- Sligo Rovers

SHELBOURNE
Shelbourne will be hoping to bounce back after losing their last home game to UCD when they welcome league leaders Sligo Rovers to Tolka Park on Friday evening.

Shels have experienced a slump in form in recent games with their last win coming over Bray Wanderers. Following that they had a draw in a friendly with Millwall, a loss to Drogheda, another draw with Cork, capped off with last week's disappointing loss to the bottom team in the league.  Three points on Friday night would put Shels back on track for a top five finish, rather than looking nervously at the teams behind them.

Two goals from Danny North fired Sligo to a 3-0 win the last time these sides met at the Showgrounds. Despite the absence of North through injury, Sligo Rovers will still provide Shels with a stern test at Tolka Park as they go in search of their fourth home win of the season.

For the second week in a row, Shelbourne have no injuries to report and with no suspensions either and Alan Mathews can at least call on the services of his full squad to counter the league leaders. He will be hoping to at least match the result that Shels achieved the last time these sides met at Tolka Park. That game finished 1-1, with Sligo requiring an injury time equaliser to rescue a point.

SLIGO ROVERS
As well as being top of the table, Sligo Rovers are on a run of seven games in the league without defeat. This run includes a draw with current league champions Shamrock Rovers in Tallaght and a comprehensive 4-1 victory over their nearest challengers Drogheda United at the Showgrounds.

The Bit O’ Red currently sit top of the Premier Division table with 40 points from 19 games so far and they hold a two point advantage over Drogheda United with a game in hand.

Ian Baraclough’s side have been the form side this season and their league challenge seems to be gathering unstoppable momentum. However, they have drawn three and lost one game of their nine on the road and they will be keen to gain the three points at Tolka Park and take another step towards their first league title since 1977.

Baraclough has had to deal with a long-term injury to top-scorer Danny North which has prompted him to make a move in the transfer market this week. His signing of Scottish striker, Liam Buchanan who has scored 109 goals in 310 appearances in Scottish football, could provide them with the firepower to finish off their league campaign with a flourish. This signing could prove crucial but not on Friday night as the striker is still waiting for international clearance. Sligo have David Cawley back from suspension which will boost their chances, however their manager remains cautious about the game.

“We are expecting a hard game in Tolka Park. Between now and the end of the season, everyone is going to raise their game. There are teams challenging for top honour, European football and to avoid relegation so there will be no easy games. We’ve had a couple of days to recover from what was a big night in Tallaght and Shelbourne will be wounded after defeat to UCD last week.”

Referee: Paul Tuite.

MATCH STATS
Sligo has lost only one of their nine away matches in the league this season.

Shelbourne have scored an average of two goals in their last three home Airtricity League games.

BETTING
Shelbourne 16/5, Draw 23/10, Sligo Rovers 5/6.

PREDICTION
Sligo Rovers look like they are unstoppable in the league at the moment and should be good enough to beat an indifferent Shelbourne; 0-2 away victory.

Shelbourne Injury News: None.
Shelbourne Suspension News: None.

Sligo Rovers Injury News: Danny North.
Sligo Rovers Suspension News: None.