- Andrew Dempsey
- Sun, Jul 18 2021
WATERFORD
Waterford will be looking to continue their recent resurgence as they host Sligo Rovers at the RSC on Sunday afternoon (kick-off is at 4pm).
The Blues won last time out away to Finn Harps thanks to a 1-0 success. The win brought them to withing four points of the Co. Donegal side who are 8th in the table.
“Everyone was delighted with the win last Friday evening,” Blues boss Marc Bircham said. “It was a big game for us, and everyone battled hard to take the three points.
“We knew it was going to be tough, but the players showed great mental strength to battle on for three points.
“We have had a good week in training. The new bodies have fit in well and everyone is focused on the same objective.
: Picking up points is the priority and we’ve set some targets along the way that we want to meet.
“Sligo are a top side. They are pushing the teams at the top end of the league for a reason. We know they will come down here and be very well organised and ready to play ball.
“That said, we know if we play as well as we’re capable of, we can make life difficult for any team coming to the RSC.
“It’s also great to see that we can have 500 fans back in the ground on Sunday. You could see what the atmosphere was like over the last few weeks when we could have 200 fans in, so I’m looking forward to seeing that going up a notch.
“Hopefully it won’t be much longer before we can have bigger attendances and use it to help drive the boys on.”
The Blues must contend without the services of Oscar Brennan, Brian Murphy, Daryl Murphy and Katlego Mashigo through injury. Cameron Evans and Prince Mutswunguma are suspended.
SLIGO ROVERS
Sligo Rovers will be looking to shake off their European disappointment on Sunday afternoon as they take on Waterford at the RSC.
The Bit O’Red were knocked out of Europe by FH 3-1 on aggregate despite being on top for most of the two-legged affair.
However, Liam Buckley will be hoping that his charges can shake off that loss and get back to winning ways in the domestic front.
“Just need to move on from that quickly, it’s done and dusted,” Buckley told the Irish Sun after the game.
“For me, the next thing is what are doing down in Waterford.
“We’ve got to regroup now; we’ve got a difficult game down in Waterford.
“There is a short turnaround, but we’ve got to take it on and we’re still top of the table.
“We won’t be judged on this (Europe) at the end of the season, we’ll be judged on where we are in the league.”
Referee: David Dunne.
BETTING
Waterford 7/2; Draw 23/10; Sligo Rovers ¾.
PREDICTION
Waterford 1 - 1 Sligo Rovers
Waterford
Injured: Katlego Mashigo, Oscar Brennan, Daryl Murphy, Brian Murphy.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: Cameron Evans, Prince Mutswunguma.
Sligo Rovers
Injured: N/A.
Doubtful: N/A.
Suspended: None.
