Preview: Rovers go to Dundalk with hope of high finish

Sligo Rovers play their final game of the SSE Airtricity Premier Division on Monday against Dundalk at Oriel Park, kick-off 7.30pm, live on WATCHLOI.ie.

The Bit O’ Red go in search of a first top-half finish since 2016 and could end in fourth place depending on results elsewhere.The last time Rovers finish as high as that was third place in 2013. 

Rovers have earned 22 points in 13 matches since the restart, the third best in the division.

Earlier this season Rovers were 3-1 winners over Dundalk in The Showgrounds as part of seven wins from the last eight games in league at home.  

Away from home has proven much trickier for Rovers in 2020, failing to score in seven of eight games so far, with the only goals coming in the 2-0 win over Derry City.

That stat must be improved upon for the Bit O’ Red to secure the finish desired in the league.

Incidentally the last Rovers last win in Oriel Park came in the 2016 campaign.

In team news, Teemu Penninkangas and Mark Byrne are slight doubts with knocks but could be available.

Johnny Dunleavy (knee) and Ronan Murray (toe) are definitely out. Ryan De Vries (knee) is available after being forced off at half-time against Cork City.

Liam Buckley said: “We’re looking forward to the game certainly. When the season restarted, if you told us that we’d have the chance to finish fifth and possibly get fourth which could be Europe, and with an FAI Cup quarter-final to come, we would have taken it without doubt.

“It’s a good outcome to be in this position from where we were on 31 July. There is this opportunity for us and unquestionably there’s a huge amount on the line in this game.

“It’s a difficult one when you are facing Dundalk away from home, we know that. They are looking for a result as well to seal third place. But it’s a chance for us and we’re going there with that in mind.

“We had a very tight game in The Showgrounds where we produced a performance and scored goals. We managed to get the win that day.  We’re looking to try to do that again and see where that take us.

“There are a lot of permutations about what could happen, I’m sure there’ll be twists and turns over the evening. From our point of view we’re looking forward to the game and trying to get the result we want.”