Sligo Rovers return to league action this Saturday as Galway United visit the Showgrounds for the second time this season for the third Connacht derby of the season, kick-off 7.45pm.

Rovers will vie with their provincial neighbours for league points following last Sunday’s comprehensive three goal defeat of Cobh Wanderers in the FAI Cup. Rovers are in fantastic form, picking up four wins in as many of their previous games in all competitions. 

The Bit O’Red will be without the injured John Mahon and Conor Reynolds who remain some way off a return, while Stephen Mallon serves a ban following his red card in a recent Premier Division match with Bohs at Dalymount Park. JR Wilson will also miss this one. He serves the last of a three game suspension following his dismissal against Derry City. 

Both sides are locked on the same points with Galway sitting one spot above Rovers by virtue of a superior goal difference. Either side is yet to score against the other following two scoreless draws so far this term.

With this in mind, Rovers boss John Russell is expecting another tight tussle between two clubs looking up the table.

“Both games have been really tight between us this year”, he says. “We’ve yet to score against each other and have played out two scoreless draws and we’re right beside each other in the table. We’re in good form at the moment and so are they. They put six past Longford at the weekend in the cup and we have scored at least two goals in our last five games including the Everton game. So it feels like something might give on Saturday in terms of goal. It should be really entertaining and we’re hoping for a big crowd to come out and back us.  

“Galway have strengthened during the window and have brought in real experience so they’ll be looking to push up the ladder. They’ve been a great addition to the Premier Division so far and it’s great to have these Connacht derbies back.

“Again, our recent form means nothing once we kick-off. We’re in good form and that’s the way we want to keep it come 10pm Saturday. We are the home side in a derby and we’ll look to start on the front foot and see where that takes us.”    

David Goulden