League Preview: Dundalk -v- Sligo Rovers

DUNDALK

The Lilywhites succumbed to their second successive and fifth overall league defeat of the campaign at Shamrock Rovers last week in what was a truly dismal display.

That result saw the defending champions drop into third place behind Bray Wanderers and a massive 15 points behind runaway leaders Cork City, who remarkably maintain a 100% record after 12 matches.

Dundalk have lost just once at Oriel Park however and a defiant Stephen Kenny has been pleased with his side’s home form thus far in 2017.

“Our home performances have been very good this year,” he said.

“We have performed at a high level at Oriel Park and we have been very good here. We have to get back to that level of performance against Sligo Rovers on Friday night.

“Our performance was disappointing overall against Shamrock Rovers and we have to have that energy and the desire to go out and put in another good display here. We want to go and get the victory, to return to winning ways on Friday night.”

Kenny is still without the injured Brian Gartland and Steven Kinsella, who both sat out the defeat at Tallaght Stadium, but is boosted by the return of long-term absentees Robbie Benson and Sean Gannon to the matchday squad.

SLIGO ROVERS

Still unbeaten in the league under new manager Gerard Lyttle, the Bit O’Red make the long trip to Oriel Park hoping to pull further away from the dreaded relegation zone.

Lyttle tasted victory for the first time as Sligo Rovers boss last Saturday with a resounding 3-0 win over Limerick at the Showgrounds thanks to goals from Kieran Sadlier, Jonah Ayunga and Raffaele Cretaro, who is now second on the club’s all-time list of top scorers.

“We take a lot of confidence from the game against Limerick,” said Lyttle.

“It was an important win for us and overdue, but it was just one win as well. We’ve said to the players that our season has started now. We haven’t been picking up enough points and we have to do so on a consistent basis from now on.

“Our season started after that Limerick game as I said and this is a big test for us. Dundalk have outstanding players and an outstanding manager.

“They have struggled for form and we hope that will continue for this game as well. But we focus on ourselves, our own approach to the game and trying to come away with another positive result.”

Daniel Kearns is unavailable to face his former employers with a thigh problem but other than that, Sligo have a full squad to choose from.

Referee: Graham Kelly

MATCH FACTS

Friday night marks the 224th meeting between Dundalk and Sligo Rovers. The Lilywhites have emerged victorious on 102 of those occasions whereas Sligo have won 71.

The side’s last meeting at Oriel Park saw the Bit O’Red record a shock 3-0 win thanks to goals from Achille Campion, Philip Roberts and Raffaele Cretaro in October 2016.

Dundalk duo David McMillan and Gary Rogers have both played for Sligo Rovers – the latter was a league and cup winner with the club in 2012 and 2013 respectively.

BETTING

Dundalk 4/11; Draw 15/4; Sligo Rovers 8/1

PREDICTION

Dundalk 2-1 Sligo Rovers

Dundalk

Injured: Brian Gartland (back), Steven Kinsella (hamstring).

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

Sligo Rovers

Injured: Daniel Kearns (thigh).

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.