League Preview: UCD -v- Sligo Rovers

• Trevor Murray
• Sun, Jul 13 2014




UCD

This Sunday sees Sligo Rovers travel to the UCD Bowl to take on Aaron Callaghan's charges. Kick-off is at 3pm.

 

Four losses and one draw from their last five league games really doesn't bode well for this weekend's challenge and it promises to be yet another hard slog for the college.

 

In fact, the only real positive of late for UCD has been their recent friendly victory over Margate; they beat them 3-0 and were quite deserving of the victory, but it's going to take a bit more of an effort to topple Sligo.

 

Speaking ahead of the clash, Callaghan spoke about the last time the sides met.

 

"It was a disappointing result earlier in the season, however it wasn't helped by Tomas Boyle's sending off early in the game. We will need to make sure and keep our discipline on Sunday if we are to have a chance of picking up a positive result.”

 

And he also hinted at the possibility of a few changes to the match day line-up after a number of performers gave him something to think about towards the end of June.

 

“The friendly against Margate gave us a chance to give a game to some players haven't played too much in recent weeks and I was impressed with a lot of the performances."

 

 

SLIGO ROVERS

John Coleman has already had a rather excellent start to his tenure as the new boss at the Showgrounds after a series of big wins, and he'll be keen to ensure they don't slip up against UC on Sunday.

 

In fact, the former Accrington Stanley boss is undefeated since coming on board after winning his first match in charge against Drogheda United 2-1.

 

Add to that, the impressive 4-0 drubbing of FK Banga that they produced only a few days ago and it's clear the Bit o' Red are riding the crest of a wave at the moment.

 

The only downside might well be fatigue. If UCD can target and capitalise on that, they might just make a close contest out of it, but the quality of Sligo's players is likely to shine through.

 

And despite the fact that they face a big games against Rosenborg in the Europa League next week, Coleman is insistent that his charges are fully focused on the task at hand.

 

"There will be a lot of focus on next week and the Rosenborg game but we're not thinking about that. We see this as a very important game against UCD, we will need to be at the top of our game to win I feel.”

 

Referee: Padraigh Sutton

 

MATCH STATS

The last time the two sides met, Sligo Rovers won handsomely on a scoreline of 5-0; the men from the west had five different goalscorers that day.

 

UCD last won a competitive game back in May when they overcame Drogheda United 2-1.

 

 

BETTING

UCD 11/2; Draw 11/4; Sligo ½

 

PREDICTION

Sligo should win this one. A final score of 3-1.

 

UCD

Injuries: Ayman Ben Mohamed (knee), Dean Clarke (back), Ian Ryan (foot)

Doubtful: Tomas Boyle (pending late fitness test)

Suspensions: None

 

Sligo Rovers

Injuries: Kalen Spillane, Joseph Ndo, Danny Ledwith

Doubtful: None

Suspensions: Danny North