With the threat of relegation growing more serious by the week, Sligo Rovers will hope to beat visitors St Patrick's Athletic on Friday at the Showgrounds in their 18th League of Ireland game of 2025.
The hosts are last in 10th place with just 12 points and are 10 points and two places from automatic safety, while their opponents are fifth with 26 points following their 2-2 draw with Waterford United on May 23.
Match preview
© Iconsport
Sligo were beaten 3-2 by Shelbourne last Friday despite taking a third-minute lead, and they were arguably fortunate to have not conceded more given they relied on the woodwork twice.
Head coach John Russell criticised his side in the aftermath for conceding too easily, and his team have kept just one clean sheet in their past seven outings, picking the ball back out of their net 12 times in that period.
The Bit O'Red are 10 points from eighth-placed Waterford, and they are level with ninth-placed Cork City, who occupy the division's relegation playoff spot.
Sligo have lost four, drawn two and won just one of their seven most recent matches, and they were also defeated in four of their previous five.
Russell's side are winless in six games at home, a period in which they lost four matches and scored six goals.
© Iconsport
Opponents St Patrick's Athletic netted twice in the first half against Waterford but failed to create a big chance after the interval, and they were forced to settle for a point when Conan Noonan equalised nine minutes from time.
The visitors have now conceded 10 goals in their last four fixtures, as many as they had in their prior 12.
Boss John Coleman oversaw a 4-3 victory against their hosts when they met in the league on February 28, and that was their third consecutive win against Sligo Rovers, as well as their sixth in seven matches.
The Red Army come into Friday's game winless in two – losing one – and they suffered losses in three of their previous seven while drawing twice.
St Patrick's Athletic will hope to avoid succumbing to a fifth consecutive defeat on their travels and win for the first time in six.
Team News
© Iconsport
Sligo Rovers defender Oliver Denham is dealing with a back issue, and if he does not return in time for the match, then Conor Reynolds, Gareth McElroy, John Mahon and Reece Hutchinson are the most likely quartet to play in defence.
Matthew Wolfe and Jad Hakiki were paired together in a double pivot against Shelbourne, and with forward Oskar van Hattum ruled out, they could play behind an attack consisting of Stephen Mallon, Owen Elding, William Fitzgerald and Cian Kavanagh.
As for St Patrick's Athletic, Romal Palmer will not play in the middle of the pitch as a result of a hamstring injury, so expect defensive midfielder Christopher Forrester to be stationed between Kian Leavy and Barry Baggley.
Centre-forward Mason Melia scored twice last time out, and he may be supported on Friday by Zachary Elbouzedi and Jake Mulraney.
Sligo Rovers possible starting lineup:
Sargeant; Reynolds, McElroy, Mahon, Hutchinson; Wolfe, Hakiki; Mallon, Elding, Fitzgerald; Kavanagh
St Patrick's Athletic possible starting lineup:
Anang; Sjoberg, Redmond, Hoare, Breslin; Leavy, Forrester, Baggley; Elbouzedi, Melia, Mulraney
We say: Sligo Rovers 1-1 St Patrick's Athletic
Both teams have struggled at the back in recent weeks, and it is difficult to see either side keeping a clean sheet.
Considering St Patrick's Athletic's form on the road has been poor, Sligo Rovers have a good chance to add to their points tally.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Lewis Nolan
