Dundalk -v- Sligo Rovers

• Emmet Maloney
• Fri, Oct 08 2010


Dundalk welcome in-form Sligo Rovers to Oriel Park on Saturday afternoon for their penultimate home game of the season, kick off 2.00pm.

The Bit ‘O’ Red come into the game on the back of a 7 match unbeaten run and will fancy their chances of taking something from the match. They will need no reminding that points are at a premium in the chase for European qualification places. Dundalk meanwhile will be going all guns blazing to try to close the gap on the three teams above them in their efforts to finish as high up the league as possible with an outside chance of European qualification as well.

Tip Top Form for Matthew
Dundalk suffered an alarming slump during mid season as injuries, suspensions and general fatigue ravaged their small squad. However since they brought in several new faces from the English Leagues in the transfer window the humour and results around Oriel Park has improved considerably.

To the fore amongst these new recruits has been striker Matthew Tipton, who made his debut against Sligo, and he spoke exclusively to Extratime on the eve of the match about his form, hopes for another contract and their upcoming opponents.

“Things have gone well since I’ve been here with seven goals in nine games so I feel I’ve settled in really quickly. I’ll keep my head down, keep playing and hopefully something will get offered (a contract for next season) in the coming weeks. They’re (Sligo) the best team that we’ve played, really good football team, they’ve got some good players and I’ve seen them again since my debut and they look a really good team so we’re in for a tough battle tomorrow. I’ve played against Paul Cook over in England a few times and he was a good footballer and he’s got them playing in the same way.”

Ian Foster has a near full panel to select from with only Alan Cawley absent through injury as he steps up his rehab and Stephen McDonnell away with the Irish U19 team. Liam Burns limped out of their victory over Galway but has trained all week and will be available to slot back in at centre half alongside Garry Breen.

Rovers hoping for a happy return
Paul Cook brings his charges cross country and this time will be able to take his place on the touchline following his ban the last time they visited Oriel. Their form will give them cause to be confident of picking up points from the trip and of course they will want to deny Dundalk a win that would see the Co Louth team close the gap on their north western rivals as the season enters its final phase.

John Russell is suspended for the clash and Romauld Boco will also be absent due to international duty with Benin, Mauro Almeida and Richard Brush remain on the injured list.

Stats Attack
As mentioned, Sligo are on an impressive seven game unbeaten run however only one of those games has been played away from The Showgrounds. Their form on the road this season has seen them garner eight draws with four wins and the same number of defeats in the league. With their last four league games being representative of this with two draws, one win and one defeat. The second 45 minutes of games appears to be when they are at their most vulnerable with 22 goals conceded in the second half compared with only nine in the first half.

Dundalk seem to have righted their ship after a mid season dive of Titanic proportions. They have won four of their last five games and are scoring freely again with Matthew Tipton and ex-Sligo man Faz Kudozovic posing a real threat to opposition defences. At home they have managed seven victories with four draws and five defeats with their last home defeat coming against Bray Wanderers on a very bleak night for Lilywhite followers.

Venue: Oriel Park, Dundalk.
Paddypower.com odds: Dundalk 13/8, Sligo Rovers 6/4, Draw 9/4.
Referee: T. Connolly

Dundalk
Injured: Alan Cawley.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: None.

Sligo Rovers
Injured: Mauro Almeida, Richard Brush.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: John Russell.

Extratime.ie Prediction: Both teams will be going all out for victory and goals will be scored, I feel that the absentees will hurt the chances of Sligo and the home team will claim a narrow victory. 2-1 to Dundalk.