Sligo Rovers vs St Patricks Athletic Prediction and Betting Tip - Odds, H2H and Preview Predictions

Sligo Rovers vs St Patricks Athletic Preview

Sligo Rovers host St Patricks Athletic on Friday in the knowledge that coming away with points could lift them off the bottom of the table, depending on Cork City’s result against Shelbourne.

Sligo sit bottom of 12 points, with the worst defence in the league, but in recent games have shown signs that they are finally ready to compete with those above them. A win here would be a big statement.

Meanwhile, St Patricks Athletic will be looking to turn their form around. The top three contenders have been poor over the last month, and a loss here could see them fall behind the chasing pack for European football.

As the game approaches, here is everything you need to know about both sides ahead of kick-off.

Where to Watch

This game will be shown on League of Ireland TV, with kick-off scheduled for 19:45 on Friday.

Key Statistics

• Sligo Rovers have scored just three fewer goals than St Patricks, yet are separated by a goal difference of 14, thanks to their concession of 11 extra goals.
• However, both sides share an identical points record over their last five games, picking up one win and one draw each.
• St Patrick’s poor recent run at the back continued last time out, as they conceded two in a draw with Waterford. They have allowed 11 in their last five, half their total tally.
• However, the visitors have won six of the last seven meetings between the two sides.

Sligo Rovers Preview

Sligo Rovers Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1): Sam Sargeant (GK); Reece Hutchinson, John Mahon, Gareth McElroy, Conor Reynolds; Jad Hakiki, Matty Wolfe; William Fitzgerald, Owen Elding, Stephen Mallon; Cian Kavanagh.

Though they sit bottom of the league, there is a fair amount for Sligo to be optimistic about from the last handful of games. They managed a win over Galway United two weeks ago, and pushed Shelbourne close last time out, falling only to a John Martin hat trick.

The problem has been in defence. No team has conceded more goals than Sligo’s 33, and though they have been conceding fewer of late, they can still only boast one clean sheet in their last seven.

Their attack has been fruitful, but coach John Russell must find a way of limiting how much the opposition can hurt them. St Patricks are the second top scorers in the league, so if Russell is looking to change something in defence, this is the game to do it.

St Patricks Athletic Preview

St Patricks Athletic Predicted Lineup (4-3-3): Joseph Anang (GK); Anthony Breslin, Sean Hoare, Joe Redmond, Axel Sjoberg; Kian Leavy, Chris Forrester, Barry Baggley; Jake Mulraney, Mason Melia, Zack Elbouzedi.

St Patricks Athletic sit in the cluster of times slugging it out for the top three position. They currently sit fifth, with second and sixth separated by just three points, and each passing weekend, results totally reorder this section of the table, with no side taking advantage of the lapse of another.

St Patricks are currently one of the sides faltering in this group. They have won just once in their last five, picking up four points in that time, and they have allowed Shelbourne, Bohemian FC, Derry City and Drogheda to get themselves right in amongst the battle for European spots.

This game against Sligo comes at the perfect time - it provides St Patricks Athletic with the opportunity to notch a morale boosting win, and should they come away with three points, they will once again be feeling good about their top three chances come the end of the season.

Sligo Rovers vs St Patricks Athletic Head to Head

Recent Meetings:

• 28/02/2025: St Patricks 4-3 Sligo.
• 01/11/2024: Sligo 0-2 St Patricks.
• 04/08/2024: St Patricks 3-2 Sligo.
• 06/05/2024: Sligo 1-0 St Patricks.
• 01/04/2024: St Patricks 3-0 Sligo.

Sligo Rovers vs St Patricks Athletic Betting Tip

Both sides have shown considerable inconsistency in recent weeks, and while they are separated by five places in the league, the true gap in quality at the moment means it is hard to pick a winner.

That is why our experts have decided that the best tip for this game is to back both teams to score. Odds of 1.71 on Highbet mean that a £10 bet will return £17.10 if the bet wins.

Sligo Rovers vs St Patrick’s Athletic Prediction

Sligo Rovers 1-2 St Patricks Athletic

Though Sligo have shown signs of life in recent weeks, Athletic know they need to start kicking into gear if they are to challenge near the top. With that being said, the away side should get the win here.