League Preview: Dundalk -v- Sligo Rovers

DUNDALK

Dundalk host Sligo Rovers Oriel Park on Friday night (kick-off is at 7.45pm).

The Lilywhites were well beaten by Shamrock Rovers last time out as they succumbed to a 4-0 loss at home.

But they will be keen to bounce back when they host Sligo Rovers at the Co Louth venue.

“Sligo Rovers are a bit like ourselves in that they have a few players that are probably a little bit unfamiliar with the League of Ireland but they have also brought in a few from within the league itself,” Stephen O’Donnell said.

“They’re a good team with attacking threats and they were unlucky to lose against Bohemians last Saturday in a game that was very much fifty-fifty and that could have gone either way.

“The last time we played them here, it was a 3-3 thriller towards the back end of last season so they’ll carry a threat – but so will we.

“If you go through our team, last week’s game was our seventh league fixture and there are a lot of players in our squad who are new to the league and still getting used to it.

“The more games we play, the more familiar we will get with it and the more comfortable the lads will be in their surroundings.

“As I keep saying, I’m happy with the quality we have and the application is good so it’s about getting into a little bit of a rhythm, obviously keeping 11 players on the pitch and getting personnel back from injury so we have a fuller squad to choose from.

“When that happens, we’ll have a better connection between everyone in training and we’ll be able to get players up to match fitness and into a pattern of playing 90 minutes.”

SLIGO ROVERS

After being narrowly defeated by Bohemians last week, Sligo Rovers return to action when they face Dundalk.

John Russell’s side were edged out at home by Bohs late on, but did have a great opportunity to level late on when the ball fell kindly to stopper Luke McNicholas.

But rather than find the net, the former Cliftonville stopper skied his effort over the bar and the Bit O’ Red left the game without a point to their name.

And that leaves them needing a win on Friday night against Dundalk in order to get their campaign back on track.

“It’s a tough venue to go to,” Russell told the Sligo Champion.

“Right now, everyone is disappointed but we’ll be ready.”

 Referee: Damien MacGraith.

PREDICTION

Dundalk 1 - 1 Sligo Rovers

Dundalk

Injured: Louie Annesley, John Mountney, Paul Doyle.

Doubtful: Patrick Hoban, Cameron Elliott.

Suspended: Robbie Benson.

Sligo Rovers

Injured: Garry Buckley, Gary Boylan, Mark Byrne, Karl O’Sullivan, Johan Brannefalk.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.