Shamrock Rovers face Sligo Rovers at Tallaght Stadium on Friday evening in a Premier Division fixture key to their title defence. The league leaders aim to bounce back from a 2-0 away loss to Galway United last weekend, a result that saw them concede goals to Jimmy Keohane and Aaron Bolger. That defeat was part of a recent run of three wins and two losses from their last five matches, a sequence that includes a 2-1 victory over Bohemians where John McGovern and Dylan Watts scored, and a 3-1 win against Drogheda United earlier this month.
They are three points clear of Bohemians and have scored 54 goals while conceding 35 this season. The team's top scorer this season is Rory Gaffney with nine goals in 27 appearances.
Recent form
Shamrock Rovers have been strong at Tallaght Stadium, winning three of their last four home league games. They beat Waterford 3-2 in September before the victories over Drogheda and Bohemians. The defeat in Galway halted a run of positive home results. Their recent form of three wins and two losses also featured a 3-2 victory over Waterford on 18 September and a 2-0 loss to St Patrick's Athletic on 11 September.
Sligo Rovers arrive in Dublin sitting tenth in the table. They drew 1-1 with Dundalk in their last outing, following a heavy 5-1 defeat away to Shelbourne.
Team setup
Both managers fielded settled lineups in their most recent games. Shamrock Rovers used a 3-1-4-2 formation against Galway United, with Alan Mannus in goal behind a back three of Cleary, Roberto Lopes and Lee Grace. Sligo Rovers lined up in a 4-2-3-1 shape against Dundalk, with Liam John Hughes between the posts.
The match kicks off at 20:00 local time on Friday, 23 October. It is the 35th round of the regular season.
