UCD -v- Sligo Rovers

• Gareth O'Reilly
• Thu, Sep 19 2013




UCD

Martin Russell's men host the second most important game of the weekend in the title race as his young UCD side welcome 3rd placed Sligo Rovers. Kick-off in the Belfield Bowl has been set for 7.45pm.

 

UCD drew with Bray last Sunday in a game where the Students were arguably the better side. During the game last weekend Thomas Boyle suffered a severe blow to the face. The club have since announced that Boyle has been forced to undergo surgery this past week in order to repair the damage.

 

The draw saw them go four points ahead of Bohs meaning that whatever the result in this game the Students shall remain clear of the relegation zone. The College will be looking to improve on their previous two meetings with the reigning champions having been beaten by a three goal margin on both occasions.

 

Speaking ahead of the game Martin Russell had this to say, "The development of our young players is clear for all to see as the season has progressed and the game in Bray last week was a clear indication of how far they have come. It serves as an incentive for them to keep putting in top performances when you look the squads of the top two in the league and you see just how many ex UCD players are in their ranks."

 

Russell will be missing long term absentee Aymen Ben Mohammed along with Thomas Boyle for this tie so hopes will be high that UCD can sneak a major upset against Sligo Rovers.

 

SLIGO ROVERS

Ian Baraclough's men make the trip to the capital five points behind Pats and Dundalk who will be playing each other over in Richmond Park. The Sligo manager has a slightly weakened squad of players to select from as Raffaela Cretaro has been handed a one game ban for the accumulation of 4 yellow cards over the course of the season.

 

Evan McMillian and Ross Gaynor have returned to training but are unlikely to feature in Dublin on Friday night. In some more positive news Kieran Djilali returns from suspension for the Bit o' Red.

 

Despite the change manager Baraclough certainly doesn't seeing it causing his side any problems.

 

“There is one alteration to the squad with Raff out and Kieran coming back in. Kieran is itching to get back to action. He was extremely frustrated to miss the Cup game and will hope to be involved on Friday.

 

“UCD are a team filled with hard work, energy and some excellent young footballers. They are fighting to stay in the division and there is personal pride as a club because they’ve been in the top flight for quite a few years.


“We are getting stronger and stronger as the weeks go on. From the outset of our pre-season programme we planned that as the season progressed we would continue to improve. We have always had a confidence in ourselves and we hope the town does too. There is a feistiness to training and the competition is growing.”
 

Ian Baraclough will no doubt have someone on his background team tasked with keeping him up to date on the action in Inchicore but insists that all his side can do it take care of business in Belfield.


“Much of the pressure is now on the two teams above us and the attention outside of Sligo will be there on Friday. The incentive for us is the potential to be closer to the leaders if we do our job so our focus will be on coming away with the win.”

 

Referee: Rob Rogers

 

 

MATCH FACTS

Sligo have lost as many games away from home this season as UCD have won at home with that figure being three.

 

Sligo have smashed eight goals past Martin Russell's men in the two games between the sides this season.

 

These sides have played each other 40 times with an average of 2.48 goals per game.

 

 

BETTING

UCD 6/1 Draw 3/1 Sligo Rovers 4/9

 

PREDICTION

Sligo 2-1 UCD

 

 

UCD

Injured: Aymen Ben Mohammed, Thomas Boyle.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: None.

 

Sligo Rovers

Injured: None.
Doubtful: Evan McMillian, Ross Gaynor.
Suspended: Raffaele Cretaro.