Shamrock Rovers v Sligo Rovers

Ahead of the game the Hoops boss was keen to point out that his side has made progress in recent weeks, especially in league games against UCD and Derry, "We won our last two league games, and have kept three clean sheets in a row in the league, and we will be looking to keep that going tomorrow night. The lads have worked very hard during the week and know that a win tomorrow night would be very important for our season. It is a big game, and we will go into the game fully focused on getting the win. We know it will be a tough game, but we are more than ready for that."
 

The Bit O'Red will go into this weeks game full of confidence after a convincing 4-1 victory in the league against second placed Drogheda United which saw them extend their lead, albeit temporarily, over the Boynesiders. As it stands, they lie only one point ahead of the Drogs, and a win will see them out of touching distance for another week.

The loss of influential midfielder David Cawley, who will miss this game through suspension, coupled with the long term injury sustained to talisman Danny North is one that will hinder the Sligo Rovers squad. Aside from that however, the cup winners have no injury concerns ahead of the game in Tallaght.

“We’re going to there to win the game and that is the only approach we take.", signalled manager Ian Baraclough ahead of Monday's game. "Whatever the result is, I don’t think anything is decided with 11 games to go in the season so this is just another game for us to try and win."

Baraclough seemed wary of the threat posed by the current league champions. “Our only thought is trying to win the game, we are going into the lion’s den as such and I think that given the result earlier in the season we’ll face a side that might still be hurting from that. I’m sure Stephen Kenny will remind his players of that defeat and they are coming into this game in improved form."

 

Shamrock Rovers haven't even drawn against the Bit O'Red in the last calendar year. Sligo are currently on a 4 game winning streak over the Tallaght side and their last loss against the Hoops came on May 6th 2011 when the succumbed to a 1-0 loss in Tallaght Stadium.

 

Both sides meticulous defensive records from last season have slipped. Sligo Rovers conceded an average of 0.522 goals per game in 2011 and this has stretched to 0.722 this season. However, this next stat makes grim reading for Hoops fans. Last year they were water tight, conceding 0.666 goals per game, this almost doubled to 1.312. 

 

Four players for Shamrock Rovers have had previous spells at the Showgrounds while three members of Ian Baracloughs' side have donned the Hoops. Aaron Greene, Gary McCabe, Chris Turner and Conor Powell have all lined out for the Bit O'Red previously, while Jason McGuinness, Joseph Ndo, Mark Quigley and Richard Brush have had spells at the Dublin club. 

 

BETTING

Shamrock Rovers 5/4 Draw 9/4 Sligo Rovers 2/1 

PREDICTION

A scrappy and tight game that will end in a score draw. 1-1.

Sligo Rovers Injury News: Danny North