League Preview: Sligo Rovers -v- Derry City

• Andrew Dempsey
• Sat, Oct 19 2019




SLIGO ROVERS

Sligo Rovers will be hoping to round off their home Premier Division campaign in style this evening when they welcome Derry City to the Showgrounds (kick-off is at 8pm).

The Bit O’Red currently lie in 6^th position in the Premier Division table, seven points behind 5^th placed St Patrick’s Athletic.

Sligo have only been defeated four times at home all season in the league, with manager Liam Buckley left pleased with his side’s efforts on their home patch.

“I am pleased that we’ve made it a difficult place to come as that was the intention when we started the season,” the former Shamrock Rovers boss admitted.

“There was a slow start as we tried to get things up to speed, this was a new group but over time we have improved. Some of those early loss’ things were going against us.

“That said, there is a base to get it better and turn some of the draws we’ve had into wins. There is still more to come from that end. It’s not easy in this league but that is the challenge ahead next year.

“It is good to have a lot of players back this week. We were up against it in Waterford in the circumstances.

“I would like to finish off the season in a good manner. It’s going to be a difficult game. Derry are chasing a European spot and they’ve done really well this year.”

Buckley added; “The supporters have been very good because when it didn’t start well they really stuck with us and encouraged the lads which is what you need. 

“I would like them to come out once more, as they have done all season, because the players have worked extremely hard and we are gearing up to try to put in a performance to finish it off well. 

“It will be tough but the lads are looking forward to it.”

In team news, Daryl Fordyce and Kyle Callan-McFadden are back from suspension for the hosts, while Romeo Parkes remains out.

However, Dante Leverock and Ronan Coughlan both return to the squad after international duty and suspension respectively. Ronan Murray is out with suspension. 

DERRY CITY

With Europa League qualification within their sights, Derry City make the short trip Westwards to face Sligo Rovers.

With Bohemians securing their European position last night, Derry can all but end the hopes of St Pats to make Europe with a win away to Sligo.

A win would leave the Candystripes needing just a point on Tuesday evening over the Sainst to secure their European spot.

However, boss Declan Devine has refused to look ahead and will be taking the challenge of Sligo Rovers on its own merits.    

“We’re concentrating on the Sligo game and nothing else. There are three games left and if we win those we qualify for Europe. It is vital to prepare for each one in turn.

“We haven’t dwelt on results over the course of the season. We’ve evaluated performances and moved on to the next match and there’s no reason to do anything differently now.

“We have given ourselves a decent chance of Europa League football next season. There’s a long break at the end of next week and we’ desperately want to go into that having finished the job we set out to do,” Devine finished.

Jack Malone and Darren Cole remain side-lined for Derry ahead of their trip to Sligo.

Referee: Paul Tuite.

 

MATCH STATS

Derry City have won one of their previous four league outings – with a 4-0 win at home over Cork City being their only victory.

Sligo Rovers however have only lost once in their previous four league games, with the recent defeat to Waterford at the RSC ending their unbeaten run.

Derry City have the worst away defensive record in the top-half of the Premier Division table with 18 goals conceded on their travels this term.  

BETTING

Sligo Rovers 4/1; Draw 3/1; Derry City 4/7.

PREDICTION

Sligo Rovers 1 - 2 Derry City

 

Sligo Rovers

Injured: Romeo Parkes.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: Ronan Murray.

 

Derry City

Injured: Darren Cole, Jack Malone.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.