Just three places and three points separate Waterford and Sligo in the Irish Premier Division ahead of the teams’ encounter at the Waterford Regional Sports Centre on Friday, 7 June.
Sligo are aiming to land their third win on the spin and their second victory at Waterford of the campaign when they head south to Munster this week.
Contents
- 1 Waterford vs Sligo Rovers prediction: Competitive clash anticipated
- 2 Pre-game odds and win probability: Bookies siding with hosts
- 3 Last five H2Hs: Honours even this season
- 4 Waterford preview: Four absent for Blues
- 5 Sligo Rovers preview: Visitors still missing Pijnaker
- 6 Player to watch – Padraig Amond
Waterford vs Sligo Rovers prediction: Competitive clash anticipated
Key Stats
- Each of Sligo’s last three Premier Division matches featured goals at both ends.
- BTTS also landed in each of Waterford’s last three home assignments in the league.
- Sligo managed to avoid defeat in five of their last six fixtures in the division.
- Veteran Padraig Amond notched four goals in his last two runouts at the Waterford Regional Sports Centre.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Bookies siding with hosts
- HOME: 1/1 (2.00) – 50%
- DRAW: 23/10 (3.30) – 30.3%
- AWAY: 27/10 (3.70) – 27%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
You can view more of our detailed analysis and predictions for this week’s other matches on our dedicated football tips page.
Last five H2Hs: Honours even this season
Waterford and Sligo have met twice already this season and the teams enjoyed one 1-0 win each. Interestingly, the away side won on each occasion.
Republic of Ireland Premier Division 31/08/24
Sligo Rovers
Waterford FC
Republic of Ireland Premier Division 03/05/24
Sligo Rovers
Waterford FC
Republic of Ireland Premier Division 29/03/24
Waterford FC
Sligo Rovers
Republic of Ireland Premier Division 02/10/21
Sligo Rovers
Waterford FC
Republic of Ireland Premier Division 18/07/21
Waterford FC
Sligo Rovers
Waterford preview: Four absent for Blues
Waterford a sweating on the availability of three midfielders and Harvey Macadam, Cameron Cresswell and Barry Baggley could all miss out on Friday evening. The Blues suffered a heavy 3-0 defeat at Derry last time out and Waterford found themselves three goals down after just 30 minutes n that reverse up north.
Predicted lineup: Sargeant (GK), Power, Horton, Leahy, Burke, McDonald, O'Keefe, McCormack, Pattisson, Parsons, Amond
Republic of Ireland Premier Division 09/05/25
W
Galway United
0
Waterford FC
1
Republic of Ireland Premier Division 05/05/25
W
Shelbourne
0
Waterford FC
1
Republic of Ireland Premier Division 02/05/25
W
Bohemians Dublin
1
Waterford FC
2
Republic of Ireland Premier Division 25/04/25
W
Derry City
1
Waterford FC
2
Republic of Ireland Premier Division 21/04/25
L
Cork City
2
Waterford FC
1
Sligo Rovers preview: Visitors still missing Pijnaker
Defenders Nano Pijnaker and John Mahon are both sidelined for Sligo as are midfielders Conor Reynolds and Simon Power. Rovers boss John Russell could choose to select the same XI that beat Drogheda 2-1 in their last test. Sligo can go level on points with Waterford with a win on Friday evening.
Predicted lineup: McGinty (GK), Wilson, Wiggett, Denham, Hutchinson, Hartmann, Morohan, Malley, Radoslavjevic, Chapman, Barlow.
Republic of Ireland Premier Division 10/05/25
L
Bohemians Dublin
1
Sligo Rovers
0
Republic of Ireland Premier Division 05/05/25
L
Shamrock Rovers
2
Sligo Rovers
0
Republic of Ireland Premier Division 02/05/25
D
Drogheda United
2
Sligo Rovers
2
Republic of Ireland Premier Division 26/04/25
D
Cork City
1
Sligo Rovers
1
Republic of Ireland Premier Division 22/04/25
L
Derry City
3
Sligo Rovers
0
Player to watch – Padraig Amond
The capture of experienced journeyman striker Padraig Amond by Waterford in between seasons was seen as a massive coup for the newly-promoted outfit and the 36-year-old has been a big hit in the city so far, netting nine times in the Premier Division already.
Amond is hard to handle
Carlow native Amond spent several years in England’s lower leagues over the course of his career, where he was a prolific player and fan favourite for Accrington Stanley, Morecambe, Grimsby, Hartlepool, Newport and Woking before returning to his homeland this year.
Amond is firmly in the frame for the Golden Boot this season and only Derry’s Pat Hoban (ten) has scored more goals than the Waterford talisman so far. Amond has yet to score against Sligo this season, however.