Europa Conference League Preview: Sligo Rovers -v- FH

Johnny Kenny in action for Sligo Rovers

Johnny Kenny in action for Sligo Rovers Credit: Michael P Ryan (ETPhotos)

SLIGO ROVERS

Sligo Rovers will be hoping that their European adventure does not end after one round this season as they welcome to FH to the Showgrounds in the second-leg of their Europa Conference League tie (kick-off is at 6pm).

Sligo come into the game off the back of a 1-0 defeat last time out, and they finished the game with ten-men following the dismissal of Greg Bolger.

Despite defeat, Liam Buckley is hoping that his side will have no regrets after Thursday’s clash in the North-West in front of 400 supporters.

 “I knew it would be a close game last week and I think it will be tight again for the second leg,” he told his club’s media team.

“We have to patient. We need to score, we need to win the game, so we approach Thursday with all of that in mind.

“We want to improve on our performance and if we do that it will give us a chance. The first goal is obviously going to be important but that said, we’re ready for it and we’re going to give it a right go.

“Johnny is set to be available. He has trained with us. John won’t make it. We have three players out but everybody else is in the mix.

“We’ll pick a team knowing we need a goal but again there is just one goal in it. We don’t want to have regrets; we have to give ourselves the opportunity to win the game and we’ll only do that with the right performance.”

In terms of team news, Sligo will be without John Mahon, Robbie McCourt, Greg Bolger and Ed McGinty for Thursday’s crunch European tie at the Showgrounds. Johnny Kenny returns.



FH

FH will be hoping to continue their mini-revival of sorts as they take on Sligo Rovers in the second-leg of their Europa Conference League clash at the Showgrounds.

Their new manager bounce has seen them earn an upturn in results, with Logi Olafsson their current boss.

He took over from previous manager was Eidur Gudjohnsen, formerly of Stoke City, Chelsea and Bolton Wanderers in the Premier League.  

They have also been crowned Icelandic champions on eight occasions since 2000 and also have also won numerous domestic cup competitions during that period.

They do have former League of Ireland players within their ranks, however, with Stevie Lennon who played for Dundalk before. He scored in last week’s 1-0 first-leg win over Sligo.



Referee: Luis Teixeira (Portugal).

 

MATCH STATS

Sligo Rovers have only won once in their last six European games at the Showgrounds, and that came against Lithuanian side FK Banga Gargzdai.

The Bit O’Red have only twice come through a European tie in their history, with them only being able to see off Lithuanian and Maltese opposition previously.

BETTING

Sligo Rovers 8/11; Draw 23/10; FH 14/5.

PREDICTION

Sligo Rovers 2 - 0 FH

 

Sligo Rovers

Injured: John Mahon, Ed McGinty, Robbie McCourt.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: Greg Bolger.

 

FH

Injured: N/A.

Doubtful: N/A

Suspended: None.