Fresh from knocking Alan Reynolds’ side out of the FAI Cup at Dalymount Park two weeks ago, Sligo Rovers now return to the Showgrounds to host Bohemians in a fixture that will have implications at both ends of the League of Ireland Premier Division table.
Bohs ran out late winners in the teams’ previous meeting at this venue as Lys Mouset scored in the 88th minute to seal all three points as part of a run that saw the club pick up six wins from seven across April and May.
Resurgent Sligo Rovers Target Galway United
The Bit O’Red will be hoping to improve on their last showing at home when they fell to a 2-0 defeat to Shelbourne on the 2nd of August. That fixture highlighted a lack of quality in the centre-forward position as last season’s star player, Wilson Waweru, has yet to get up to speed since recovering from a long-term injury.
John Russell has utilised Owen Elding as the main man in recent times, but he is not the long-term solution there, as he is more effective playing on the right. Apart from their issues with the centre-forward position, the rest of the squad appears balanced, and the manager has somewhat plugged the issues the team were facing earlier in the campaign.
Elding has scored ten league goals, and he has been one of the standout players in the Premier Division. His work rate, coupled with his ability to score from almost anywhere, has seen his stock soar over the past eight months.
They should not fear facing the side sitting in second place in the Premier Division table, as Rovers have lost just twice in their last ten matches in all competitions. There is a lot of quality in the side with Will Fitzgerald, Ireland Under-21 international Jad Hakiki and Ryan O’Kane, an impressive trio playing behind Elding, who is expected to lead the attack.
This could be the weekend where Sligo Rovers leapfrog Galway United and out of the relegation play-off. If they manage to do so, it would be just rewards for a team that has been transformed since they won just two of their 15 league outings. If the key men mentioned above are fit and ready to play, Rovers are a match for any team in the division.
Bohemians Closing in on European Return
Bohemians bounced back with a 3-0 win over Cork City last weekend, and their focus is now solely on finishing in the top three, following their cup exit to Sligo Rovers. They are arguably only a clinical forward away from competing with Shamrock Rovers for the title, and the arrival of Douglas James-Taylor may be the solution.
The former Walsall striker bagged a brace against the Rebel Army and now boasts a return of three goals, despite playing just four league matches. He has brought his form over after his spell with Drogheda United, seen him score an impressive 15 goals in 35 matches, despite being plagued with injuries.
His second last Friday night was an exceptional goal, and the 23-year-old should enjoy playing with the likes of Dawson Devoy and Dayle Rooney, as both players are capable of creating several chances per game when they are at their best.
The creative midfielders can be inconsistent, but they do possess the ability to unlock defences. All of the team’s metrics point towards them being much closer to the league leaders, and moving closer to the top should be the goal from now until the end of the campaign.
There is a lot of star quality in this Bohs side, and they should secure a top-three finish and a return to Europe, assuming they can keep Devoy, Rooney and James-Taylor on the pitch regularly. Inconsistency and an inability to kill off teams have been their downfall at times, but they will head to the Showgrounds confident of picking up a win, having done so in each of their last three visits.
Both Clubs to Miss Out on Crucial Three Points
This should be a match full of quality, as both teams possess several in-form stars, and with the sides battling at either end of the table and achievable objectives in sight, there is plenty to play for. A draw would not be seen as a success for either side, but that does appear to be the most likely outcome as there is little to separate the teams in terms of form.
Sligo Rovers have picked up nine points from their last five matches, and Bohemians trail that tally by one. Bohs will be expected to dominate possession; however, Rovers have the players to hurt the away side on the break. Elding and James-Taylor are the standout stars in attack, and they may just trade goals as the points are shared.
There are two fixtures in the League of Ireland Premier Division on Friday night, and you can see The Football Deck’s preview for Waterford’s trip to Cork City in addition to St. Patrick’s Athletic’s visit to Derry City here.