Sligo Rovers face a stern test of their Premier Division survival credentials when they travel to face league leaders Shamrock Rovers on Friday night. The match at Tallaght Stadium kicks off at 20:00 local time, with the Bit O'Red desperate for points to climb away from the relegation zone, a task made harder by being 41 points behind the leaders.
That point leaves Sligo 10th in the table with 24 points from 34 games, having recorded five wins and nine draws against 20 losses, a position that underlines the importance of their remaining fixtures. Their recent form of one draw and four losses from their last five outings is a primary concern, a sequence that includes defeats to St Patrick's Athletic, Galway United, and Drogheda United prior to the Shelbourne loss.
Recent form
Shamrock Rovers present the toughest possible opposition, sitting 41 points clear at the summit. The Hoops were beaten 2-0 away to Galway United in their last match, but had won their three previous games. Sligo's last outing saw Kaiyne Woolery score a 46th-minute equaliser against Dundalk, assisted by Sean Stewart, only for a late Ronan Teahan goal to deny them all three points. The heavy 5-1 defeat away to Shelbourne on October 9th is a more accurate reflection of their recent struggles, where Woolery again found the net in first-half stoppage time. The team has scored only 26 goals all season while conceding 60, leaving them with a goal difference of negative 34.
Head-to-head record
The head-to-head record this season offers Sligo a glimmer of hope. They lost 2-1 at home to Shamrock Rovers on July 3rd, but famously won 2-1 at Tallaght Stadium back in May. They have lost two of the three league meetings this campaign. Denham, McElroy, and Aidan Gabbidon are likely to form a key part of the defensive effort to contain a potent Shamrock Rovers attack.
With the team having conceded 60 goals this season, defensive solidity will be most important. The club's top scorer this term is O. Elding with 11 goals in 35 appearances, and his contribution will be vital if Sligo are to spring a surprise. The full fixtures list shows this as a critical part of the run-in.
