- Standings: Waterford FC sit 8th in the Premier Division 2026 on 28 points from 27 games, ahead of Sligo Rovers FC in 10th on 22.
- Recent form: Waterford have 4 wins and 1 draw from their last 5 games, whereas Sligo have 1 win, 2 draws and 2 defeats from their last 5.
- Away record: Waterford have 2 wins, 3 draws and 8 losses from 13 away trips in the Premier Division 2026, but have scored 18 goals in 13 games away from home.
Head-to-head history suggests a closely fought game
Sligo Rovers FC have beaten Waterford FC 3 times in the last 5 meetings, but The Blues will go into the Friday night's game as slight favorites at 2.32, while the Bit O'Red come in at 2.88 and the draw at 3.45.
Waterford won 4-0 at home to Sligo in the Premier Division 2026 two months ago, but have failed to win either of their previous 2 games away to the Bit O'Red, so this isn't likely to be a mismatch.
Waterford are clearly the more likely winners on the night as they are in much better form than Darren Purse's side and sit higher in the table, but Sligo's decent home record and the head-to-head record suggest that this will be a tight, scrappy game.
Waterford have an extra edge in the final third
Form and momentum
Waterford have 4 wins and 1 draw from their last 5, with 3 of those wins coming in a row, while Sligo have 1 win, 2 draws and 2 defeats from their last 5, so momentum is on the side of the visitors.
The Blues beat Shelbourne 1-0 at home in the Premier Division 2026, after a 3-1 win over Bohemians Dublin and a 2-1 win over Athlone Town in the FAI Cup 2026. Sligo drew 1-1 away to Dundalk and lost 2-0 away to Derry City in their previous 2 Premier Division 2026 games.
Key scorers
- Padraig Amond has 4 of Waterford's 7 goals in their last 5, and the experienced marksman can be a real threat when he's on form.
- Tom Lonergan has 14 goals in 25 appearances for The Blues in the Premier Division 2026, so Graham Coughlan's side have the cutting edge that Sligo have been lacking.
Sligo’s home record is mediocre, but they do score
Sligo's recent home form has been mixed, with 3 wins, 4 draws and 6 defeats from 13 matches, and The Showgrounds isn't a fortress by any means.
Darren Purse's men have averaged 1.08 goals per match at home, while conceding an average of 1.69 goals per game, so the hosts have been leaky at the back.
Waterford have scored 18 times in 13 away trips in the Premier Division 2026, so they certainly have the ability to nick a goal on the road, even if they do not dominate possession.
Over 2.5 goals looks the best bet at 1.68, while both teams to score looks likely at 1.53. Sligo and Waterford will battle it out for possession and territory, with Sligo trying to hit on the counter and Waterford looking to smother the game and stay disciplined at the back.
