The 2017 League of Ireland Premier Division started on the 24th February and will conclude on the 27th October having accepted a summer league format since 2003. Different to many of the leagues in European football, teams play each other 3 times during the season in the Premier Division, making a total of 33 matches for every club.
Dundalk are the defending champions but will struggle to hold on to the title they have won for the last 3 seasons in a row. Cork City are 15 points clear at the top of the league with 2 games in hand but Dundalk cannot give up hope and must start by winning this game.
Sligo Rovers are currently in the relegation places, sitting 11th in the Premier Division with a lot of work to do if they are to avoid the drop.
Sligo Rovers Form
Sligo Rovers are in terrible form and have won only 2 of their previous 15 games in league and cup this season.
Last time out they picked up a 0-0 draw at Limerick, which was a good point and drawing is something which Sligo Rovers are proven to be quite good at doing. In their last 11 league games, they have drawn 6 times, losing 4 and winning 1 but continuing to draw and lose games will not be enough to keep them safe.
At home Sligo Rovers have lost only 1 of their last 10 games and can be difficult to defeat on their own turf.
Dundalk Form
Dundalk suffered a shock 1-0 home defeat at the hands of Shamrock Rovers last weekend, which was perhaps a hangover from their elimination from the Champions League qualifiers at the hands of Rosenborg.
It’s now 3 games without a win for Stephen Kenny’s team but in the Premier Division Dundalk have won 5 of their last 6 games.
Away from home Dundalk have won their last 5 matches in impressive fashion, scoring 15 goals and conceding none. They will be hoping to continue this form at Sligo Rovers by taking maximum points.
Team News
Sligo Rovers are without Raffaele Cretaro who has undergone surgery on a calf problem. There also doubts over Joseph Ndo and Jeff Henderson but Gavin Peers is out with a knee injury.
Despite having some midweek games to deal with in the Champions League recently, Dundalk appear to have everyone fit and available for this match.
Top Betting tips
Given their away from, Dundalk come into this match as the overwhelming favourites priced at 2/5 with Ladbrokes.
However, Sligo Rovers have been tough to beat at home despite their lowly league position and Dundalk have failed to win in their last 3 games in all competitions. The draw is on offer at 10/3 with Ladbrokes and makes a good bet.
Sligo Rovers have scored and conceded 4 goals in their last 5 home league games and Dundalk have kept a clean sheet in their last 5 league games on the road. Under 2.5 goals is 11/10 with Ladbrokes.
If Dundalk are to continue their good away form they will be looking to David McMillan for goals. The former Sligo striker has 12 goals to his name in the league this season and is available at 14/5 with Ladbrokes to score the opening goal in this game.