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

SLIGO ROVERS

Liam Buckley’s side are back in action on Monday night when they host top of the table St Patrick’s Athletic at The Showgrounds in the Premier Division (kick-off 5.45pm).

The Bit O’Red remain in third place this season having recovered from a 1-0 loss against Derry City with a 1-1 draw with Drogheda United on Friday night.

Rovers went behind at Head in the Game Park after Chris Lyons fired Drogheda in front after 17 minutes.

Johnny Kenny netted his second goal of the season in the 36^th minute to give the visitors a share of the spoils on Friday night.

Monday’s game against the Saints is an important fixture for Buckley’s side with the game presenting them with the opportunity to close the gap at the top to just two points and the manager recognises the challenge that awaits.

“It’s a top of the table clash of first against third and from our point of view, we really want to kick on and be up there and go as far as we possibly can this season,” Liam Buckley said, speaking to the club’s website.

“We’re eight games in and we’re reasonably happy with how we’ve done. It’s a good solid position we find ourselves in and we have to build on it.

“We picked up a point in Drogheda. The first half was okay, the second half we would have liked to be better.

“We do see more improvement coming from our end and over time I think it will come. As I said the platform is there for us and we just have to stick at it.

“It’ll be another tough game against St Pat’s. They’ve started well, they’ve got very good players and they’ve taken top spot.

“It’s going to be competitive and difficult for both teams.  I think it’s one we can look forward to as well.”

Sligo Rovers will be bolstered by the return of Niall Morahan and David Cawley to the squad after the pair missed Friday night’s game. Danny Kane is the only absentee for Sligo tomorrow night.

ST PATRICK’S ATHLETIC

The Saints find themselves top of the table with just goal difference separating themselves and Shamrock Rovers and they will be looking to keep that momentum going when they face Sligo Rovers on Monday.

Stephen O’Donnell’s men are unbeaten in eight games this season and they are on a three game winning streak coming into the game against Sligo.

With Shamrock Rovers kicking off against Waterford in the early afternoon tomorrow the Saints will know if they need the three points or not to move back to the top of the table.

They will also want to avoid allowing Sligo any gains in the Premier Division race with just five points separating the sides currently.

A 3-0 win over Longford Town on Friday night has set the side up with decent momentum coming into this game after a brace from Chris Forrester and a Rónán Coughlan were enough to dismiss De Town.

O’Donnell is under no illusions as to how difficult their next fixture is however.

"They've started really well so it's going to be a tough game,” he said, speaking to the club’s website.

“No matter where Sligo are in the league, it's always a tough game down in The Showgrounds so we are going to be looking forward to it.”

Cian Kelly is the only absentee for the Saints due to injury.

Referee: Neil Doyle

MATCH STATS

The Saints have won three games in a row coming into Monday night’s fixture.

Sligo have failed to beat St Pat’s in the last seven meetings between the sides, a run that goes back to 2018.

St Patrick’s Athletic are unbeaten so far this season.

BETTING

Sligo Rovers 21/10; Draw 9/5; St Patrick’s Athletic 7/5.

PREDICTION

Sligo Rovers 0–1 St Patrick’s Athletic

Sligo Rovers

Injured: Danny Kane.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

St Patrick’s Athletic

Injured: Cian Kelly.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.