Shamrock Rovers v Sligo Rovers
Football: Republic of Ireland, Premier League
Saturday, 18th July 2009 - Kickoff 7pm

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SHAMROCK ROVERS ( Home Rec : W5 D2 L2 )

Its a great time for Shamrock Rovers FC at the moment. Rovers are playing their first season in their new ground after being without their own ground for 22 years, they are currently second in the league and have a glamour friendly with Real Madrid on Monday to look forward to as well. Rovers are on a roll and have made themselves the main contenders for the league title battle with Bohemians.

Rovers have gone 9 league games unbeaten, winning 6 and drawing 3. Of their last 4 home games, they have got 10 points from a possible 12. In the early part of the season they were very inconsistent but have found form and with the goals of Gary Twigg they look unstoppable at the moment. Twigg is the league's top scorer with 16 goals from 19 games.

Boss Michael O Neill has also got the best out of striker Dessie Baker and pushed another talented frontman in Tadgh Purcell out to the right wing, a move which baffled Rovers fans but turned out to be a great move as Purcell has been playing some of his best stuff for Rovers out there.

It seems nothing can go wrong for the famous Dublin club at the moment. A top half of the table place would have pleased most Rovers fans at the start of the season but they are now real title contenders and O Neill has assembled a very strong squad. They have already beaten opponents Sligo twice this season and it would be hard to bet against another.

Shamrock Rovers last 5 league games
Rovers 3-1 Dundalk
Cork 0-0 Rovers
Rovers 1-0 Galway
St Patricks 1-2 Rovers
Bray 1-2 Rovers

SLIGO ROVERS ( Away Rec : W2 D3 L4 )

Sligo are a team on the slide at the moment and wont relish a trip to Shamrock Rovers. They last managed a win back on 29th of May. That night they won 2-0 at Dundalk but its been all downhill for them since then.

Sligo have lost 4 from their last 5 games and drew the other. One of those losses included a 3-1 defeat to bottom side Bray Wanderers. This run has seen Sligo, a team fancied by some to challenge for Europe, fall to second from bottom, only 3 points clear of Bray.

The season started badly too for Paul Cook's side. It took them till their 6th game to earn a victory and had lost 3 and drawn 2 up until then. But they have had a few good nights in whats been a poor season for them so far. They caused an upset at Derry by winning 2-1 there with a late goal and got a draw against league leaders Bohs.

Last week they were thumped 3-0 at home to a Cork side who have been inconsistent of late. A visit to Shamrock Rovers who are the form side of the league is probably not what they would want right now.

Sligo Rovers last 5 league games
Bray 3-1 Sligo
Sligo 0-1 Derry
Bohemians 2-0 Sligo
Sligo 2-2 Drogheda
Sligo 0-3 Cork City

THE BETTING VERDICT

A SHAMROCK ROVERS WIN it has to be at 8/13. Also consider the SHAMROCK ROVERS Half time/Full time bet of 6/4.

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

A SHAMROCK ROVERS WIN it has to be at 8/13.

Also consider the SHAMROCK ROVERS Half time/Full time bet of 6/4.