Sligo Rovers travel to Limerick to tackle Treaty United in the Women’s Premier Division after the benefit of resting last weekend as the odd team of 11 in this season’s competition, writes Conall Collier.

With the bottom four facing each other, bottom-of-the-table Cork City host eighth-placed DLR Waves, the results of both games will have a huge impact on final placings as the WPD passes the mid-point of the season.

Sligo Rovers will aim to improve on two draws at the Market’s Field last season, but Steve Feeney’s side will go into this test as the underdog after a disappointing defeat (1-2) against Treaty earlier in the season at the Showgrounds.

That mid-April encounter saw the Bit O’Red surrender an interval lead from Emma Doherty’s 43rd minute goal with Cara Griffin levelling in the 62nd minute and then substitute Hannah Saidi hit an 82nd minute winner for Treaty.

Both teams go into this encounter on the back of heavy defeats last time.

Sligo Rovers conceded six without reply against champions Shelbourne a fortnight ago while last weekend Athlone Town got the better of the LImerick side by 7-0.

That suggests that this might be a high-scoring encounter, but both teams have struggled to hit the target this season.

The Treaty women have managed five goals in 11 outings and failed to find the net in eight of those encounters.

Sligo Rovers have scored seven goals in 10 outings, but failed to register a score in four of those games.

Both teams have managed one clean sheet so far, Treaty in a scoreless draw at home to DLR Waves while the Bit O’Red picked up a 2-0 away win against Cork City three weeks ago.

The Treaty players were within 60 seconds of a 2-1 victory against Wexford a fortnight ago, but conceded a 90th minute equaliser.

The formbook suggests both teams are struggling for consistency and that will be the key to this encounter that is likely to be a fast-paced contest.