Shamrock Rovers v Sligo Rovers
Football: League Of Ireland Premier Division
Monday 26th April Kick Off 8pm

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Shamrock Rovers took their unbeaten run to 6 matches on Friday night as they beat Bray Wanderers by a 1-0 scoreline. It really should have been more although Rovers started well, they put in a poor second half showing. But its looking brighter for Michael O Neill's side after a poor start which they got only 1 point from 3 games and included 2 home defeats to Dundalk and St Patricks Athletic. But its been much better from Rovers in recent weeks including a 1-0 win over arch rivals and Champions Bohemians.

Rovers finished second last season only 4 points behind Bohemians and many feel they can go one better this season. They certainly have the squad good enough to challenge again and Bohemians have lost 3 games in a row perhaps indicating they are not the side they were the last few seasons. In the early weeks of the season Rovers had a lot of suspensions and injuries. Luckily for Rovers most of these players are back in the side including the strike partnership of last seasons top scorer and leagues player of the year Gary Twigg and Dessie Baker whose tireless performances won him plenty of praise last season. Twigg has scored 2 from 3 games since his return while Baker rerturned from injury as a substitute on Friday.

Sligo Rovers suffered their first defeat of the season on Friday night as they lost 1-0 at league leaders St Patricks Athletic. But they have only won twice and become draw specialists with 5 of their games already ending in stalemate. They currently sit in mid table, a position they finished last season. They also reached last seasons Cup Final only to lose 2-1 to Sporting Fingal.

Last season Sligo lost both their away encounters to Shamrock Rovers and earlier in the season the sides drew 1-1. Boss Paul Cook made some shrewd signings in the close season including Striker Padraig Amond and recently the signing of the very talented Joseph Ndo. However he has a few injury worries to key players ahead of this game as Mauro Almeida misses out with an achilless injury and Iarflaith Davoren misses out with a leg injury.

VERDICT

This will be a test for Shamrock Rovers but they should come through it and continue their good run. They are an excellent price at 10/11 in some places.

The Pick :

Shamrock Rovers 2-1 Sligo Rovers

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

Shamrock Rovers to win