University College Dublin vs Sligo Rovers Match Analysis and Prediction

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Sligo Rovers will be looking to strengthen their hold of fifth spot in the League of Ireland Premier Division standings when the take on bottom-of-the-table side University College Dublin on Friday.

While University College Dublin are at risk of being adrift, their solitary win of the season came as recently as earlier this month, which was claimed away from home.

Having succeeded through the second-tier playoffs last season, UCD were always going to be regarded as underdogs this season, and their opening 17 matches have actually suggested so.

They have managed to pick up just eight points from as much fixtures, although positives should be taken, with half of that tally having come from the last four matches.

Before losses to Shamrock Rovers and Shelbourne, UCD played out a draw with Dundalk before edging out relegation rivals Finn Harps away from home.

While head coach Andrew Myler will accept that his side must improve considerably during their remaining matches, they can take confidence from a 2-2 draw in the reverse fixture against Sligo Rovers on April 9.

Sligo Rovers had finished third in the 2021 table, and at the beginning of the campaign, they were showing the kind of form that suggested they could challenge for the title.

However, a six-game unbeaten streak has since been succeeded by two five-match winless runs, leaving Rovers fighting to remain in the top half of the table.

However, John Russell’s side suddenly returned to winning ways last time out, defeating Derry City through a last-minute goal. Seamus Keogh was the hero on that occasion, the defender posting his first professional goal in a league game.

Although Rovers have recently been far from perfect, they have now scored in 10 successive matches, a statistic they will be keen not to lose on their next opponents.

University College Dublin vs Sligo Rovers head to head

The two teams have previously met on 51 occasions across all competitions, where Sligo have claimed 28 victories while UCD have won 16, and they have drawn in seven. Sligo have scored 87 goals and conceded 48. In their last five meetings, Sligo have won four while they have drawn once.

Sligo Rovers 5-1 UCD 01/07/19

Sligo Rovers 4-0 UCD 07/09/19

UCD 0-2 Sligo Rovers 20/09/19

UCD 1-3 Sligo Rovers 30/08/20

Sligo Rovers 2-2 UCD 09/04/22

University College Dublin latest home form

UCD have recently been on a poor run of form at home, as they have been winless in their eight most recent matches. They were beaten 3-0 by Shamrock Rovers in their last home game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored three goals and conceded 11.

UCD 0-2 Derry City 04/04/22

UCD 0-2 Drogheda United 15/04/22

UCD 1-2 St Patrick’s Athletic 18/04/22

UCD 2-2 Dundalk 06/05/22

UCD 0-3 Shamrock Rovers 19/05/22

University College Dublin latest away form

UCD have recently failed to keep a good run of form on the road, having won just one of their nine most recent matches. They managed to defeat Finn Harps 1-0 on May 13 in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored four goals and conceded 14.

Sligo Rovers 2-2 UCD 09/04/22

Derry City 7-1 UCD 22/04/22

Bohemians 3-0 UCD 29/04/22

Finn Harps 0-1 UCD 13/05/22

Shelbourne 2-0 UCD 23/05/22

Sligo Rovers latest home form

Sligo have recently been on a good run of form at home, as they have been unbeaten in their five most recent matches. They managed to defeat Derry City 2-1 in their last home game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored nine goals and conceded seven.

Sligo Rovers 2-2 UCD 09/04/22

Sligo Rovers 3-2 Drogheda United 23/04/22

Sligo Rovers 1-1 Shamrock Rovers 29/04/22

Sligo Rovers 1-1 St Patrick’s Athletic 14/05/22

Sligo Rovers 2-1 Derry City 23/05/22

Sligo Rovers latest away form

Sligo have recently been on a poor run of form on the road, having lost each of their three most recent matches. Their last away victory came on April 18 when they defeated Finn Harps 1-0 in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored five goals and conceded nine.

Dundalk 2-1 Sligo Rovers 15/04/22

Finn Harps 0-1 Sligo Rovers 18/04/22

Shelbourne 2-1 Sligo Rovers 06/05/22

Shamrock Rovers 3-1 Sligo Rovers 09/05/22

Bohemians 2-1 Sligo Rovers 20/05/22

University College Dublin news

Having lost to Shebourne, Myler should decide on the changes to make to his XI, with Adam Vernon likely to be drafted back into midfield to replace Dara Keane.

Donal Higgins will also come into contention after playing a regular part of the season, with Alex Nolan also coming into the staring lineup.

Sligo Rovers news

Sligo Rovers will enter the contest without any injury issues, and interim manager Russell is unlikely to make any changes to his starting lineup.

That would mean Seamus Keogh will remain among the substitutes with his match-winning goal against Derry coming after he had been introduced as a late substitute.

Prediction and Odds

Having collected as many points over their past six matches on away territory, UCD will be optimistic of causing a suprise on Friday.

However, Sligo have recently gotten better on their Friday’s hosts, and will be keen to bounce back from their three successive away defeats with a win here.

Odds: 1 2.32 X 2.00 2 1.89