Sligo Rovers -v- Bohemians
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SLIGO ROVERS
League leaders Sligo Rovers will be looking to continue their quest for the league title when they welcome Bohemians to The Showgrounds on Monday evening.
The bit o’red are unbeaten since the 21st of May and have been impressive in recent games. Rovers were victorious in the first meeting of these two sides this season, earning a 1-0 win and their second meeting was an entertaining scoreless draw at Dalymount Park.
In their previous four games, Sligo have won two and drawn two. Their most recent game was against St. Patrick’s Athletic at Richmond Park where they drew 0-0.
Romauld Boco moved to Accrington Stanley during the week to rejoin former Sligo Rovers boss Paul Cook. Ross Gaynor is missing through suspension and Iarfhlaith Davoren will be missing due to injury. Danny North remains sidelined with a cruciate ligament injury. Pascal Millien returns following a hamstring injury which he picked up against UCD two weeks ago.
Manager Ian Baraclough says his side are ready for the challenge that Bohemians present: “We spent the early part of the week on togetherness and getting away from football because it was a long wait for another game and it was important to vary things. It was a good build-up, we put a lot of focus on the game in the last few days and we’re ready for Monday night now in a big test against Bohemians.
“Ross is absent this week. It is something we’ve been anticipating for a while when he was on three yellow cards so we’ll have to make some slight adjustments to the team. We’ve prepared for that and we have players that can fill in, players that have been waiting for a chance and I’m sure they will look to show what they can do.
“Apart from the games against each other, we look at it that we expect our rivals to win all their matches from here to the end of the season. We have to make it happen for ourselves, keep our good home record going and keep winning games.”
BOHEMIANS
Aaron Callaghan’s side are sitting in sixth place in the table and are three points behind Derry City in fifth. The Gypsies have lost two of their last three league games and have not won a league game since July 27th.
Garreth O’Connor returns to Bohemians for another spell, having started the season with Monaghan United. Kevin Devaney has also been brought in to boost Callaghan’s side. The 21 year old, whose previous clubs include Sligo Rovers, is eligible for selection on Monday, so too are Ken Carr and Garreth O’Connor.
Callaghan is faced with a number of injuries ahead of the game. Owen Heary is suffering with a back injury and Kevin Feely is suspended. Ryan McEvoy is also expected to be missing with an ankle injury.
Callaghan says concentration levels are key: “We have had two good games against them this year. We were just beaten by the odd goal up there and drew 0-0 at home and we could have nicked it. But we know they’re a good side, they move and pass well, and we have got to make sure we keep up our concentration levels.”
Referee: Damien Hancock.
MATCH STATS
Only Dundalk and UCD have picked up fewer points than Bohemians in away games. Out of eleven away games, Bohs have won three, drawn one and lost seven.
Sligo Rovers have the best home record in the league this season: winning seven games, drawing four and losing none.
In their last ten league meetings, Bohemians have won four, Sligo have won two and they’ve drawn four times.
BETTING
Sligo Rovers 2/5; Draw 16/5; Bohemians 13/2.
PREDICTION
A 2-1 win for Sligo Rovers.
Sligo Rovers Injury News: Danny North, Iarfhlaith Davoren.
Sligo Rovers Suspension News: Ross Gaynor.
Bohemians Injury News: Owen Heary, Ryan McEvoy.
Bohemians Suspension News: Kevin Feely.
