- Sligo Rovers FC have won three, drawn four and lost six of 13 home matches in the Premier Division 2026.
- Waterford FC have won two, drawn three and lost eight of 13 away matches in the Premier Division 2026.
- Tom Lonergan has scored 14 goals in 25 matches in the Premier Division 2026, but Padraig Amond has hit four in the last five for Waterford FC.
Blues could have the edge
Waterford FC have been in blistering form recently and will probably have the best chance of taking the points when they visit Sligo Rovers FC at the Showgrounds on Friday, but the Bit O'Red have enough to make this a close-run affair.
The Blues have four wins and one draw in their last five matches and are on a three-game winning streak. Darren Purse's men have one win, two draws and two defeats in their last five, so the odds-on visitors have the momentum.
However, Sligo have won three of the last five meetings between these clubs and avoided defeat when hosting Waterford in the Premier Division 2026 last season, while The Blues have won only two of their 13 away games in the competition.
The two clubs have had contrasting starts to the campaign, with Waterford FC sitting 8th on 28 points from 27 games and Sligo Rovers FC one place lower and eight points worse off.
Lonergan looks lethal
Purse has been in charge of the Bit O'Red since 24 July 2026 and has leaned on a compact defensive structure and quick transitions to earn results, but Graham Coughlan, who arrived on 6 May 2026, has made Waterford a little tighter and more aggressive in their pressing.
The contrast of styles should make this a battle of transitions with Sligo trying to spring counters and Waterford looking to smother space and stay disciplined.
Lonergan is Waterford's main goal-getter in the Premier Division 2026 with 14 in 25 appearances, but Amond has been in top form lately with four of their seven goals in the past five matches. The veteran attacker will pose a real threat on Friday night.
Sligo's Cian Kavanagh is their top marksman in the Premier Division 2026 with five in 24 and he has four of their nine goals in the most recent five games.
Sligo can make it close
Waterford's away form is poor, and the fact that they have failed to win either of their past two games against Sligo at home means this game cannot be considered a lock, even if the visitors' form is better and they are higher in the table.
At 33/25, The Blues are the slight favourites here with Purse's side 47/25 and the draw 49/20. The best play is to take the visitors to come away with the points, but Sligo have a good chance of making a match of it on their home patch.
A goal-fest could be on the cards with Sligo averaging 1.08 goals scored and 1.69 conceded at home in the Premier Division 2026, so over 2.5 goals at 17/25 looks the sharp angle to take, with both teams to score at 53/100 also appealing.
