- Team form: Sligo Rovers FC have lost their last two matches, going down 4-0 to Waterford FC in their last away game.
- Home form: St Patrick's Athletic have won two and lost only one of their last three home games.
- Recent record: Sligo Rovers FC have won four, tied two, and lost four of their last 10 games in all competitions.
Kenny’s Kitson can keep Rovers at a distance
Sligo Rovers FC, playing in a high-energy system since John Russell took charge in May 2022, have shown plenty of promise in the front third, but defensive lapses have cost them points recently.
Rovers have won one and tied one of their last five games, losing three times in that run, and have been leaking goals with worrying regularity.
The Bit O'Red have scored just four goals in their last five away from home in all competitions, and, against St Patrick's Athletic, they could be shut out on Friday.
St Pat's are a structured team that are well-organized to press in the correct areas when out of possession, while Stephen Kenny's 4-3-3 structure allows them to play at a high tempo when on the ball. The Saints, who can break forward quickly thanks to their vertical passing style, will be the team dictating the flow of this game.
St Pat’s can dominate at Richmond Park
Tactical threat
William Fitzgerald is Sligo Rovers' main goal threat, with three goals in 20 Premier Division 2026 games, but Kenny's team will ensure that the number ten is not given much space to operate on Friday.
Key points
- Rovers will press high and exploit wide areas in the game, but, when St Pat's retain possession, the visitors can be vulnerable.
- St Patrick's Athletic have won two of their past five matches, but have lost two and drawn one of their past five games, and their form may not be good enough to win them the title.
- But they are expected to take the full three points in this fixture, and Sligo Rovers FC's recent defensive lapses make it difficult to back the visitors.
Sligo Rovers are in a poor place
St Patricks, who have won three of their last five home games, conceding just four goals in that span, can control this game and keep Sligo off the scoreboard.
The Saints are favored at 1.29 for the win, Over 2.5 goals at 1.71, while 'Both Teams to Score – No' comes in at 1.63.
Sligo have enough energy and pace to make this an open game, but Kenny's side, who have been tough to break down at home, will likely come out on top.
