League Preview: St Patrick's Athletic -v- Sligo Rovers

• Brendan Graham
• Fri, Apr 19 2019




ST.PATRICK’S ATHLETIC

St. Pats will be boosted for tonight’s fixture by the welcome return of key players Chris Forrester, Mikey Drennan, Dave Webster and Brandon Miele as they look to get their Easter weekend off to the perfect start against Sligo Rovers (kick-off 7.45pm).

Harry Kenny’s side suffered a disappointing home defeat to in form Derry City on Monday night and will be looking to bounce back this evening and extend their lead over tonight’s opponents to four points in the table.

Kevin Toner will serve a one match suspension following his sending off against Derry on Monday night but other than that Harry Kenny will have a full squad to choose from.

Speaking ahead of tonight’s game Harry Kenny said he is expecting another tight game with the last fixture between the sides finishing just 1-0 to St. Pats courtesy of a Mikey Drennan goal against his former club

"Looking back to our earlier game in the season against Sligo, we came out on top in a really tight game thanks to Mikey's late header. They had some chances and we had a few and luckily we took one late on.

“We can expect another tight game on Friday as Sligo have picked up a few good results lately and will come here and make it difficult for us."

 

SLIGO ROVERS

Liam Buckley will return to his former club this evening as manager of Sligo Rovers this time looking to pick up their second away win of the season.

Goalkeeper Ed McGinty returns to the squad having recovered from a finger injury with Ronan Murray set to sit the game out as he serves the third game of a four match suspension.

Manager Liam Buckley told the club website before the game that climbing the table and getting points on the board is their priority but that with such a congested fixture schedule, changes can be expected.

“I think in recent matches the signs have been better. The weather scuppered it for both teams last Monday. We were looking for a performance again as in the first half of the Bohs game and beating Dundalk we have seen an improvement.

“The point on Monday was a fair result and the conditions made it difficult so on Friday we’d like to show what we can do a bit more.

“It’s great to have Ed [McGinty] back to add to the competition because there are three very good goalkeepers within our ranks and I want them all pushing each other for every game.

“This is an important game for both sides, we’re a point behind Pat’s and getting up the table is our priority.

“You can’t ask players to play Friday-Monday three times or eight games in a month, however you look at it, so over this period you will see changes by managers.

“That said, we’re adapting our training so we’re planning as best we can and the lads are really bought into what we’re trying to do. They are looking forward to this game and in the first meeting there was nothing really in it.

Referee: Robert Hennessy

 

MATCH STATS

There is just one point separating these sides ahead of tonight’s fixture with St. Pats just ahead of Liam Buckley’s Sligo side on twelve points.

Sligo have picked up just four points from a possible twelve on the road so far this season

St. Pats have earned seven home points from a possible fifteen so far this season.

 

BETTING

St. Pats 4/7; Draw 13/5; Sligo Rovers 9/2

PREDICTION

St. Pats 2-1 Sligo Roverss

 

St. Pats

Injured:  None

Doubtful: Jamie Lennon

Suspended: Kevin Toner

 

Sligo Rovers

Injured: None

Doubtful: None

Suspended: Ronan Murray