League Preview: Sligo Rovers -v- Derry City

• Odhrán Crumley
• Sat, Apr 07 2018




SLIGO ROVERS

Sligo Rovers welcome Derry City to the Showgrounds for the second time this year. They will be hoping for a repeat of their first meeting as Sligo ran out 2-1 winners.

Since that game the trajectories of the two sides have contrasted significantly as the Bit’ o Red sit second bottom failing to win any of their last five.

On Monday Sligo were in League Cup action beating rivals Galway United 1-0 to secure a place in the quarter-final.

Speaking to the club website after the game Sligo manager Gerard Lyttle had this to say.

"It was good to get the win on Monday and it has been part of a good build-up to this game.

"We battled for the clean sheet and Shane Keegan said it was Galway's best performance of the year so we had to dig in. We got the result, yet could have played a lot better, but we focused and concentrated to keep the clean sheet which was a big thing.

"We've lost games in the league where we've been pleased with the performance. Nobody has been outplaying us so the points tally is something we're not happy with. But we know that through hard work, and more hard work, that more points will come soon.

"This is a great test against Derry, we have a good record against them. We want to make it difficult like we did in the first game and attack them.

“Derry took their chances against St Pat's last week and I'm sure St Pat's were disappointed because they had a lot of the play and were the better team.

“It shows the fine margins and teams that take their opportunities will win games."

Lewis Morrison has been ruled out for four to six weeks with an ankle ligament injury otherwise Gerard Lyttle will have a full squad to choose from.

 

DERRY CITY

Kenny Shiels’ men travel to Sligo hoping to right an early season wrong and claim their fourth league win in a row.

Derry travelled to Sligo on the second day of the season falling to defeat after a poor defensive performance.

Once again the Derry boss will be forced to change his back four as Darren Cole has been ruled out after picking up an injury in Ballybofey on Monday.

Jack Doyle is a major doubt also after picking up a knock in Monday’s EA Sports Cup clash.

Like Sligo, Derry were in league cup action on Monday beating rivals Finn Harps, 2-1 in Finn Park.

Speaking to the club website about this weekend’s game, Shiels had this to say.

"Darren is out and Jack looks extremely doubtful but Rory is OK," he began.

"It isn't ideal to have to change things too much but we do have options. Gavin Peers, Niall Logue and Scot Whiteside will likely be added to the squad for Sligo.

"We're in a really tough run of games at the minute but I think we're in a better place now than when we went there at the start of the season.

"Our record hasn't been great at the Showgrounds but we're now five wins from six in all competitions since our last visit," concluded the City manager.

More positive news for the Candystripes is that Rory Patterson will be fit to return after hobbling off after Monday’s derby.

Referee: Paul McLaughlin

Last three league matches: Sligo Rovers DLL; Derry City WWW

 

MATCH STATS

The two sides met in the Showgrounds already this season with Sligo running out 2-1 winners.

There has been fifteen goals in the last six meetings between the two sides.

Since 2015, Sligo have won four of the meetings, while Derry have won three with four draws.

 

BETTING

Sligo Rovers 6/4; Derry City 9/5; Draw 11/5

 

PREDICTION

Sligo Rovers 0-2 Derry City  

 

Sligo Rovers

Injured: Lewis Morrison.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

 

Derry City

Injured: Darren Cole.

Doubtful: Jack Doyle.

Suspended:  None.