EA Sports Cup Preview: Derry City -v- Sligo Rovers

• Gareth O'Reilly
• Tue, Apr 19 2016




Derry and Sligo are set to battle it out in the EA Sports Cup on Tuesday evening, with both sides vying it out for a place in the Quarter Final stage of the competition.

 

DERRY CITY

Derry come into this encounter on the back of a 1-1 draw with Longford Town on Saturday evening after a fantastic strike from Patrick McClearn cancelled out a first half David O’Sullivan finish.

 

Conor McCormack returned for that clash in a pleasant boost for Kenny Shields side. The Candystripes have been somewhat of a surprise revelation this season for many onlookers with last season’s seventh placed team currently sitting two points off leaders Dundalk in second position.

 

No team news was available from the Derry camp at the time of writing.

 

 

SLIGO ROVERS

Sligo head to Derry on the back of a narrow 1-0 loss to Dundalk on Friday night in a game which the Bit o’Red defended well in despite a constant onslaught from the Lilywhite’s attackers.

 

In some positive team news for Dave Robertson, both Tim Clancy and Gavin Peers are back in training and will be available for selection should they come through fitness tests ahead of this tie.

 

Robertson has ensured that he has done his homework ahead of this clash and knows that his team will have to be at their best to progress into the next round.

 

“We have a good idea about them and have watched them play. They are a good team, I spent time and spoke with Kenny. He has done an excellent job with the squad he has. It is no surprise to me that he has his team playing good football and are strong and resilient. 

 

“I enjoyed our game in pre-season, we got a lot out of it and so did they. We have done our homework and will be aware of their strengths tomorrow.”

 

Many view the League Cup as an unnecessary distraction during a condensed season but Robertson believes that every game is important for his side and their fans.

 

“Every game we will treat as a priority. We are taking things on a game-by-game basis. The nature of this competition is that the team who wins will be straight into a quarter-final. That gives a very good opportunity. Every team has to decide how they prioritise the league and the cups. We will be going into tomorrow’s game fully committed. 

 

“It would be nice to have a win going into the Longford game on Saturday it is a key one for us. But our next priority is Tuesday and I don’t like looking forward any further that that, we will start thinking about Longford from Wednesday.”

 

Referee: Andrew Davey (IFA)

 

 

MATCH STATS

Both team received a bye in Round One so are competing in the 2016 version of the League Cup for the first time.

 

The two sides met at the same stage in last year’s tournament, in a tie that saw Derry come out 2-0 winners following extra-time.

 

This will be the 20^th meeting of the two Premier Division stalwarts in the League Cup.

 

 

BETTING

Derry City 10/11; Draw 12/5; Sligo Rovers 11/4.

 

PREDICTION

Derry City 1 – 1 Sligo Rovers (Sligo win on penalties 9-8)

 

 

Derry City

Injured: Unknown.

Doubtful: Unknown.

Suspended: None.

 

Sligo Rovers

Injured: None.

Doubtful: Gavin Peers, Tim Clancy.

Suspended: None.