League Preview: Sligo Rovers -v- Dundalk

SLIGO ROVERS

Sligo Rovers welcome Dundalk to the Showgrounds on Tuesday evening as they continue their hunt for European football (kick-off is at 7.45pm).

The Bit O’Red come into the game off the back of a big win over St Patrick’s Athletic on Friday night.

The result brought new life into Liam Buckley’s side European charge, and the Sligo boss is hoping that they can continue on from that win over the Saints.

“It was a difficult game on Friday and one we did well in,” he said. “It was important to get the win with our objective of qualifying for European football for next season.

“It’s still our objective and that was just one result in trying to achieve that target. We’re going to need to keep picking up points because of all the teams fighting it out.

“We juggled things up a bit last week and they all put in a good shift, working extremely hard, and we’re going to need that again on Tuesday night.

“I was at Dundalk’s game in Longford and while I know they are down a lot of players, their overall squad is big and when you look at the team they can put out, it’s still filled with top-quality players.

“As we know in this league, every game is so well contested, and anything can happen. From our point of view, it’s about application and building on Friday night.”

Shane Blaney is Sligo’s sole absentee for Tuesday’s game at the Showgrounds.



DUNDALK

After a dismal defeat away to Longford Town, Dundalk will be looking to bring an end to their wretched losing run away to Sligo Rovers.

Vinny Perth’s side are in real danger of being brought into a relegation dogfight, and a win away to Sligo would go a long way to ease those concerns.

“It is disappointing to lose on Saturday,” Andy Boyle told his club’s media team. “We created a lot of chances, but we just didn’t get the breaks. It’s frustrating for us and that is just the way we have been.

“We knew it was going to be tough with the amount of bodies that we are missing but we aren’t making excuses for it, we are just getting on with it.

“We want to get back to winning ways.



“It’s going to be a difficult game for us in Sligo, they are having a good season and had a good win the other night against Pat’s but hopefully we can turn it around and come away with a win.”

Patrick McEleney, David McMillan, Brian Gartland, Wilfried Zahibo, Cameron Yates and Darragh Leahy all miss out for Dundalk with injury.

Han Jeongwoo and Daniel Cleary also miss out through suspension.

Referee: Ben Connolly.

 

BETTING

Sligo Rovers 21/20; Draw 11/5; Dundalk 12/5.

PREDICTION

Sligo Rovers 2 - 0 Dundalk

 

Sligo Rovers

Injured: Shane Blaney.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

 

Dundalk

Injured: Patrick McEleney, David McMillan, Brian Gartland, Wilfried Zahibo, Darragh Leahy, Cameron Yates

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: Han Jeongwoo, Daniel Cleary.