Sligo Rovers v Shamrock Rovers, Showgrounds, 7.45pm
It's the season's first battle of the Rovers in Sligo tonight and the sides are coming in in very different form to how they finished the last campaign.
The champions beat Sligo 4-2 in the final round last November but have yet to win in their three league games in 2024, draws with Dundalk and Derry - courtesy of an injury-time equaliser - sandwiching their defeat to Dublin rivals Shelbourne a fortnight ago.
Of course, the visitors failed to win their first six games last year but still claimed the title by seven points.
Coincidentally, Sligo have had the same opponents so far. They also drew with Derry and lost to Shels but got off the mark in spectacular fashion with a 5-0 win at Oriel Park on Monday night.
Sligo manager John Russell was delighted with his side's finishing at Dundalk but is aware the five-in-a-row-chasing Hoops should pose a tougher test.
"It was vital to pick up the three points on Monday night in what is such a tight and competitive league", he said.
"We've shown a real hunger and desire in all our games so far but against Dundalk we managed to add that ruthlessness in the final third."
"We know the quality Shamrock Rovers bring coming into the game. They have players that can hurt you all over the pitch. They have set the benchmark for the past few seasons but it’s important that we focus on ourselves.
"I have such belief in this group of players and staff. If we continue to work hard and improve our connections we will get our rewards over the course of the year."
John Mahon is Sligo's only absentee as he continues to recover from a long-term injury.
As they await their first victory, Shamrock Rovers manager Stephen Bradley said he had warned his players before the start of the season that "we have no divine right to win any game of football".
"What happened in the past is done, so it's about what’s in front of us now. Winning games is extremely difficult, I know this group of players has won a lot in the last five years but we can’t take that for granted, as a team or as a club.
"Every game we face is difficult, so we must stay focused, keep doing what we do, and keep improving our performances.
"You look at the game against Shels, we had that 30-minute spell we weren’t good, 15 minutes against Derry, so we need to keep improving on that, and make sure we can get the complete 90-minute performance as soon as possible.
"Winning isn’t easy, but these players have made it look that way the last few years. If we trust what we do, we’ll be OK."
Bradley is wary of the hosts' speed in attack.
"Sligo have real pace. We know they're a danger going forward with that pace, Simon Power who we know from being here has electric pace and Mata up front, so they have a real attacking threat. So we have to respect that, respect what Sligo bring to the game, but as always we’ll look to impose ourselves on the game as quickly as possible and take control, that’s our aim in Sligo."
Graham Burke is available despite being forced off against Derry, Seán Hoare is also back while Trevor Clarke and Jack Byrne could come into the squad.
Aaron McEneff, Seán Kavanagh and Neil Farrugia are longer-term absentees.
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