Credit:
Sligo Rovers -v- Derry City
- Alan Finn
- Tue, Jun 26 2012
SLIGO ROVERS
Sligo Rovers return to action on Tuesday night following the mid-season break when they take on Derry City in the Quarter-Final of the EA Sports Cup.
Alan Keane will miss out through suspension, but Iarfhliath Davoren returns from injury while Joseph Ndo is also in contention having returned to training following an injury picked up in April.
Manager Ian Baraclough spoke to sligorovers.com and expects a tough game against The Candystripes. "We’ve had two weeks of training and were disappointed by the lack of game last week after Monaghan’s exit from the league. There was nothing we could do about it so we’re looking forward to this match even more as a result.
“There is no such thing as entering a competition without wanting to win in my eyes. The players are keen to get back on the pitch and I’m expecting a tough, tight game against a side that finished well before the break."
DERRY CITY
Derry City will be hoping to continue their reign as EA Sports Cup holders when they travel to The Showgrounds to take on Sligo Rovers.
They will have to plan without Mark Farren, Barry Molloy and captain Kevin Deery who all miss out through injury after also missing their recent League game against Cork City.
Declan Devine told BBC Sport that although they're facing the best side in the League, the EA Sports Cup means a lot to them and they are hoping to retain it this season. "
"We are up against the best team in the country at the minute, but we have had some good results on the road,".
"With them (Rovers) being out of the FAI Cup, it just leaves the EA Cup and the league.
"But this trophy means a lot to us and we want to do well.
"It is a big test but also an opportunity to test ourselves against the top team."
Referee: Rob Rodgers
MATCH STATS
Both sides have met once so far this season, in a League encounter at The Showgrounds that ended in a 1-1 draw.
Derry knocked Sligo out of the EA Sports Cup in 2011 in a penalty shoot-out following a thrilling game that ended 3-3 after extra-time.
Derry City have won the EA Sports Cup five times since 2005 while Sligo Rovers have reached at least the Semi-Final stage in the last three seasons and won the Cup in 2010.
BETTING
Sligo win 4/5; Draw 23/10; Derry 7/2.
PREDICTION
Its too hard to separate these two and give an honest answer as to who I expect to win, but I have a feeling it will go all the way to penalties between the sides again this year.
Sligo Rovers Injury News:None.
Sligo Rovers Suspension News: Alan Keane.
Derry City Injury News: Mark Farren, Barry Molloy, Kevin Deery.
Derry City Suspension News: None.
