League Preview: Sligo Rovers -v- Waterford

• Andrew Dempsey
• Fri, May 03 2024




SLIGO ROVERS

Injury-hit Sligo Rovers host Waterford at the Showgrounds on Friday night (kick-off is at 7.45pm).

The BIt O’Red are set to be without quartet Will Fitzgerald, Fabrice Hartmann, Max Mata and Wilson Waweru - while long-term absentees Nando Pijnaker and John Mahon remain out. 

Sligo saw off the Blues in their last encounter at the RSC thanks to Ellis Chapman’s goal in March - but boss John Russell is hoping his side can replicate their win. 

“Our last game with Waterford was a very tight affair and I expect no different this time around”, he said. 

“The players are fully focused on getting a positive result in front of our home supporters. We need them right behind us in what is a big weekend with two home fixtures.”

WATERFORD 

Blues manager Keith Long has called for calm ahead of Waterford’s trip to the Showgrounds to face Sligo Rovers. 

The Blues fell to a 2-0 loss at home to Derry City last weekend - but Long has pleaded for calm.

“The boys are working extremely hard,” Long said when speaking to LOI TV. “We’re a promoted team in the Premier Division and I don’t know what people expect from us. 

“We want to play with more energy, aggression and create more chances. But this is life in the Premier Division and it is a tough league. 

“Every game is big and you don’t need to big any game up more than it is. But we’ll bounce back and we have a good group of players.”

Kacper Skwierczyński remains out injured for Waterford while Harvey Macadam and Ryan Burke are doubts.

Referee: Gavin Colfer. 

 

PREDICTION 

Sligo Rovers 2-0 Waterford

 

Sligo Rovers

Injured: Simon Power, Nando Pijnaker, John Mahon. 

Doubtful:Will Fitzgerald, Fabrice Hartmann, Max Mata, Wilson Waweru.

Suspended:None. 

 

Waterford 

Injured: Kacper Skwierczyński.

Doubtful:Harvey Macadam, Ryan Burke. 

Suspended: None.