League Preview: Sligo Rovers -v- Waterford

• Dave Donnelly
• Sat, Jun 30 2018




SLIGO ROVERS

Sligo Rovers face the tough task of hosting Waterford in their first match back following the mid-season break (kick-off 7.45pm).

With both Limerick and Bohemians having won on Friday night, the pressure is on the Bit o' Red now to keep pace after dropping back into eighth place.

The break came at a bad time for Gerard Lyttle's side as they'd hit a bit of form with two wins and two draws in their last five games.

Their most recent game saw them travel to St Patrick's Athletic and run out 3-0 winners, with goals from Patrick McClean, Ally Roy and Jack Keaney.

"It's important that given we only one home game after this between now and September that we make it count,” Lyttle told the club's official website.

“Like other teams, including Waterford, we'll have more players available to us in July, so there'll be Under-19 players involved on Saturday in the squad.

“They have done well for us and another one or two are pushing for an opportunity. It may come at some point on Saturday.

"We focus on our own game and we have players to help us get the points. We can't wait to get out on the pitch and try to main the level of performance from recent weeks."

Roy has returned from his loan spell to Harps, while fellow Scot Rhys McCabe misses out with suspension. Gary Boylan and Adam Morgan are injured.

WATERFORD

Waterford's form dipped a bit as the mid-season break approached, with just two wins in eight seeing them drop off the tails of the top two.

Last time out saw the Blues draw 0-0 away to Bray Wanderers, leaving them 16 points behind second-placed Cork City.

“We didn’t reach our levels in the Bray game before the break but it was a point gained and we’ve moved onto the next one this weekend,” Reynolds told the club's website.

“We’ve had two tough games up in Sligo this season already so this will be the same. They had a good win before the break so they’ll be looking to hit the ground running on Saturday.

“Training has been good since the lads came back at the weekend and they’re keen to get back on the pitch this Saturday.

“They’ve had a few days off and come back refreshed. We have 13 league games and the FAI Cup still to play so all the lads are looking forward to getting back into it.”

Rory Feely is suspended but Dave Webster and Stanley Aborah return from bans. Garry Comerford and Paul Keegan are injured, while Gavan Holohan is a doubt.

 

Referee: Graham Kelly

 

MATCH STATS

The sides have met three times so far this season: twice in the league and once in the EA Sports Cup.

Goals from Gavan Holohan and Courtney Duffus saw the Blues to a 2-1 win at the Showgrounds, before the points were shared back at the RSC.

In the league cup, a goal from David Cawley saw the Bit o' Red through to the semi-finals at the Showgrounds.

 

BETTING

Sligo Rovers 9/5; Draw 21/10; Waterford 6/4.

PREDICTION

Sligo Rovers 2 – 1 Waterford

 

Sligo Rovers

Injured: Gary Boylan (knee), Adam Morgan (abdomen).

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: Rhys McCabe.

Waterford

Injured: Garry Comerford (foot), Paul Keegan (calf).

Doubtful: Gavan Holohan.

Suspended: None.