Shamrock Rovers are eight points behind Ireland Premier Division leaders Dundalk. If they hope to close the gap with their rival, Shamrock Rovers must pick up points this weekend.
Manager Stephen Bradley’s team are coming off of a 2-0 win over St. Patrick’s Athletic. The victory over St. Patrick’s Athletic was vital as it ended a three-match winless streak. Shamrock Rovers three-match barren spell saw them lose ground with Dundalk denting their title hopes.
Sligo Rovers are sixth in the Ireland Premier League heading into the weekend. They are winless in four of their last six matches, although they did claim a victory last time out against UCD, 5-1.
That victory should have been expected, however. UCD sit at the bottom of the Ireland Premier League and have conceded goals galore all term.
Shamrock Rovers have collected 23 of 33 points at home this season. It is the second-best points total in the league. Four of their last five home matches ended in under 2.5 goals scored. Two of those matches saw Shamrock Rovers win to nil.
Sligo Rovers have collected just 12 of 33 points on their travels. Their away form has been poor with just three victories claimed.
Manager Liam Buckley has watched his side lose back to back away fixtures. Sligo Rovers were thrashed 4-0 by league leaders Dundalk before losing 2-0 to Finns Harp.
The home team has dominated the last 11 matches when Shamrock Rovers and Sligo Rovers have played. Eight of those games have seen one team held without a goal. Meanwhile, seven of their last 11 games have seen under 2.5 goals scored.
Shamrock Rovers and Sligo Rovers have met twice already this season in the league. Their first match in March was won 3-0 by Shamrock Rovers at their Tallaght Stadium. The venue will be the site of Friday night’s fixture.
📆 Friday Night📍 Tallaght Stadium ⚽️ Rovers v Sligo🎫 https://t.co/wPKJ8k0Ug5#NothingBeatsBeingThere pic.twitter.com/h3IKsRT9V5— Shamrock Rovers FC 🇮🇪 (@ShamrockRovers) July 3, 2019
📆 Friday Night📍 Tallaght Stadium ⚽️ Rovers v Sligo🎫 https://t.co/wPKJ8k0Ug5#NothingBeatsBeingThere pic.twitter.com/h3IKsRT9V5
Their second meeting, which took place at Sligo Rovers’ The Showgrounds, saw the home team win 2-1. Sligo Rovers’ Jack Keaney scored the winner in the final 17 minutes to give his side the victory.
Although their two matches this season have produced over 2.5 goals scored, Shamrock Rovers and Sligo Rovers traditionally do not score many goals when playing each other.
Friday night’s match should see the teams continue the theme of the home team winning. Unlike their previous games this season, it will also see under 2.5 goals scored.
Shamrock Rovers will claim victory against Sligo Rovers and it should once again be a low-scoring fixture in Ireland.