The Irish Premier Division is now well in its stride and two teams who need to kickstart their season in Derry City and Sligo meet on Friday night.
Derry have taken just four points from as many games thus far this season. Last time out Declan Devine’s team suffered a 2-1 defeat at Waterford United, which was their second loss of the season.
Despite the early setbacks, there is still plenty of time for City to kickstart their league campaign.
In fact, Derry are just five points behind Bohemians, who occupy the final European qualification berth, with a game in-hand. Only the usual suspects of Shamrock Rovers and Dundalk have made what could be described as good starts to the new season.
One facet of their game that the home side needs to improve upon is their home form, as dating back to last season they have won just three of their previous seven league matches on home soil.
They have at least got a strong recent home record in the Irish top-flight, as they kept clean sheets in seven of their previous ten league games at home.
Sligo Rovers have made a nightmare start in the Irish Premier Division, having lost all four of their league games so far this season. The visitors have been poor at both ends of the pitch, having conceded at least twice in three of their four league games this season, while also failing to score in three of their four Premier Division games. Last time out Rovers suffered an excusable 3-2 defeat against the league’s most successful club Shamrock Rovers.
Sligo have a poor away record in the Irish top-flight stretching back to last season, as they have suffered four straight defeats on the road in the Premier Division.
Forebet predicts that Derry will add to Sligo’s early-season woes by recording a victory in a low-scoring encounter.