League Preview: Shamrock Rovers -v- Sligo Rovers

• Dave Donnelly
• Fri, Mar 30 2018




SHAMROCK ROVERS

Shamrock Rovers will look to bounce back from last week's defeat away at Waterford when they welcome Sligo Rovers to Tallaght Stadium (kick-off 8pm).

Two early goals from Courtney Duffus, either side of a Graham Burke strike, gave the in-form Blues all three points at the RSC.

Rovers lost defender Ally Gilchrist to an early red card for two bookings, while defenders Trevor Clarke and Luke Byrne also went off injured.

“With the red card and then two left-backs going off injured in the same game, it was one of those nights [against Waterford],” manager Stephen Bradley told the club's website.

“But I still thought we were good. We played really well and deserved to get something out of the game even with ten men for 80 odd minutes.

“Sligo are a good side. They lost 2-0 last week but they should have been two goals up in the first 15 or 20 minutes. They create chances and they’ve got some dangerous players.

“It’s going to be a tough game. I think they’re a better team than what they were last year but if we play to our levels like we have been and cut out the silly errors we’ll be fine.

“We want to continue our good form. Obviously the results at home have been different to away but we’ve been good wherever we’ve played, other than Bohs, and I think tomorrow will be no different.”

Bradley will be without Trevor Clarke for the rest of the season after he suffered knee ligament damage, while Joey O'Brien is also absent and Sean Boyd a slight doubt.

Ally Gilchrist misses out through suspension, but Luke Byrne is expected to be fit after going off early against Waterford.

 

SLIGO ROVERS

Sligo Rovers felt they were unfortunate to come out the wrong side of a 2-0 defeat at home to Dundalk on Saturday night.

The Bit o' Red were left to rue defensive errors as goals in either half from Pa Hoban and Michael Duffy earned the Lilywhites all three points.

"We all came out of the Dundalk game frustrated,” manager Gerard Lyttle told the club's official website.

“We took on arguably the favourite to win the league, created chances, restricted them and very basic mistakes in crucial areas cost us.

“I believe in terms of our performances we are going in the right direction. It's not saying it for the sake of it, we are good enough to win these games.

"We're looking forward to going to Tallaght. I think they were very unlucky against Waterford and they are a top team.

"We've done our homework on them. We know it'll be difficult but in our team we have pace, we have goalscorers, we'll create chances. I think the big pitch, and a good one, will suit us.

“We have to improve on our concentration levels and take the goal-scoring opportunities that we make. I believe we can do so and come away with a result."

Lyttle will have a full squad to choose from for the trip to Dublin with no injuries or suspensions to contend with.

 

Referee: TBC

 

 

MATCH STATS

The two Rovers met three times last season with little to separate them in terms of results or goals.

Shamrock Rovers won the first meeting in Tallaght 1-0 thanks to a Brandon Miele goal in April, before John Russell returned the favour for Sligo in July.

The final league meeting in Tallaght in October ended 1-1 after Regan Donelan cancelled out Gary Shaw's opener late on.

 

BETTING

Shamrock Rovers 1/2; Draw 3/1; Sligo Rovers 11/2.

PREDICTION

Shamrock Rovers 2 – 0 Sligo Rovers

 

Shamrock Rovers

Injured: Trevor Clarke, Joey O'Brien.

Doubtful: Sean Boyd.

Suspended: None.

 

Sligo Rovers

Injured: None.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.