League Preview: Sligo Rovers -v- Finn Harps
- Josh Dolan
- Sun, Sep 06 2020
SLIGO ROVERS
Sligo will be looking to build on their recent run of form when they welcome Finn Harps to the Showgrounds on Monday. (KO 7:45PM).
Since lockdown the Bit O’Red have beaten Shelbourne, Waterford, Derry, UCD and Dundalk.
The only black mark on their record since the league returned was a 3-0 defeat away to Cork City.
However, previous to lockdown, Liam Buckley’s side lost each of their first four league games.
The first of these was against Harps and Buckley Is eager to avoid a repeat of that result.
“The first game was a disappointing outcome. It led on to us being bottom of the table for months on end which didn’t sit well with any of us. We’ve moved up the table somewhat but we can still improve,” Buckley told sligorovers.com.
The Premier Division table is very tight at the moment. Sligo are just two points off third spot while only being five points off the foot of the table.
“With the way things are, you can quickly find yourself back down there, or you can move further up. We look at things on a game-by-game baiss and we know how difficult this will be because of that night last February.”
Buckley will be without Danny Kane, Darren Collins, Sigitas Olberkis and Johnny Dunleavy through injury.
Alex Cooper is a doubt for the game with an ankle injury and will have his fitness assessed closer to kick-off.
FINN HARPS
Finn Harps will be looking to continue their good form on the road when they visit the Showgrounds on Monday.
They come into the game on the back of a 2-0 win away at Bray Wanderers in the FAI Cup.
A brace from Alexander Kogler helped Ollie Horgan’s men to a place in the quarter finals of the cup.
Harps were also victorious in their last game away from Finn Park, as late goals from Kogler and Adrian Delap gave the Donegal men all three points against Waterford at the RSC.
At the time of writing Finn Harps hadn’t released any team news.
Referee: Rob Harvey
MATCH STATS
Sligo have won four of their five Premier Division games since the League of Ireland re-start.
Finn Harps will be looking for their third away in a row after recent wins against Bray Wanderers and Waterford.
Harps have won three of the last five meetings between the sides. Sligo won one while the other game finished in a draw.
BETTING
Sligo Rovers 5/6; Draw 23/10; Finn Harps 16/5.
PREDICTION
Sligo Rovers 3–2 Finn Harps
Sligo Rovers
Injured: Danny Kane, Darren Collins, Sigitas Olberkis, Johnny Dunleavy.
Doubtful: Alex Cooper.
Suspended: None.
Finn Harps
Injured: N/A.
Doubtful: N/A.
Suspended: None.
About Josh Dolan
Josh Dolan is one of our Dublin based reporters, who also helps out with Extratime.ie’s administration tasks.
Josh, who was recommended to us by fellow reporters, joined the site as a teenager …