Sligo Rovers FC v Saint Patrick's Athletic
Football: Republic of Ireland, Premier League
Sunday 26th July 2009 - Kickoff 19:45

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Neither of these sides can be talked about as an in-form team, with Sligo failing on their last 6 league games to gain a win and St. Patrick's having 2 wins from the last 5 games.

Strangely enough St. Patrick's recent 2 wins came vs Cork and Bohemians, who are top sides, while losing to average Drogheda and Galway sides.

Sligo haven't won now in 6 games, and have lost 5 of these 6 games, though this did include defeats to some decent opposition in Bohemians, Cork, Derry and Shamrock Rovers (the top 4 sides in the league). They also lost 3-1 to Bray, which is a poor result.

Based on recent form and league position this is a close game to call. Sligo have home advantage, but St. Patrick's have better form, a stronger squad overall, and a higher league position.

While St. Patrick's have a record of 7 wins, 2 draws and 11 losses, they actually have a better away record than home record, and have won 4 of their 7 wins on the road.

Sligo have a record of 4 wins, 6 draws and 10 losses. This is split evenly into home and away form of 2 wins, 3 draws and 5 losses home and away, indicating that Sligo tend not to benifit noticeably from home form.

When you consider this, St. Patrick's have higher league position, better recent form, better players and no real disadvantage due to where the game is being played.

Here is the recent form of both sides, note that Sligo have been sliding down the table of late; (most recent form first)

Sligo (9th - Home Rec 2-3-5 8:15)
L 1-3 vs Shamrock Rovers (a)
L 0-3 vs Cork (h)
D 2-2 vs Drogheda (h)
L 0-2 vs Bohemians (a)
L 0-1 vs Derry (h)
L 1-3 vs Bray (a)
W 3-0 vs Dundalk (a)
W 2-0 vs Galway (h)
D 2-2 vs St. Patrick's (a)
L 0-3 vs Shamrock Rovers (h)

St. Patrick's (6th - Away Rec : 4-0-6 6:11)
L 1-2 vs Galway (h)
W 1-0 vs Cork (a)
L 1-2 vs Shamrock Rovers (h)
L 0-1 vs Drogheda (a)
W 3-1 vs Bohemians (h)
L 0-1 vs Derry (a)
D 1-1 vs Bray (h)
W 1-0 vs Dundalk (a)
D 2-2 vs Sligo (h)

THe Betting Verdict

Neither side can be over-whelming favourites, but I do make the away side favourite to win, Sligo are playing very poorly at the moment.

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

Take St. Patrick's to earn an away win.