Tonight's National League Preview
Dundalk's best form of the season (seven points from the last nine) is right on cue as they strive to avenge two successive defeats to Sligo already this season. Remarkably, a point from this match would lift Dundalk to a lofty eighth in the table, their highest placing of the season, for 24 hours at least.
Conversely, bottom-of-the-table Sligo will be aware that those two wins represent two-thirds of their victories in the league this season.
"We can't afford to lose as Dundalk would go eight points ahead of us which is a big gap at this stage," warns Sligo manager Nicky Reid, who agrees the league table is not a pretty sight for Rovers fans.
While Dundalk manager Jim McLaughlin is disappointed to be out of the cup following last week's second-round defeat in Derry, he knows his side benefited from the experience with Premier Division survival their priority.
Reid, meanwhile, sees Sligo's progress through to the quarter-finals as a blessing for more than the obvious reason. "Being involved in the cup will help relieve the pressure of a constant battle against relegation," said Reid.
Dundalk are without Noel Melvin, who starts a four-match ban, but hope to have Brian Byrne, David Capper and Lee Thew back from injury while Colin Fortune comes back into contention having been cup-tied last week.
Sligo have right-back Tony Callaghan back from a two-match ban but are without both Steve Birks and Marcus Hallows who have ankle injuries while Neil Ogden is doubtful with a septic toe.
Last two seasons: 1997/98: Sligo Rovers 3 Dundalk 3, Dundalk 5 Sligo Rovers 0, Sligo Rovers 3 Dundalk 0. 1998/99: Dundalk 0 Sligo Rovers 2, Sligo Rovers 2 Dundalk 0.
Current league form: Dundalk: LLWWD; Sligo Rovers: LLLDD.
Leading league scorers: Dundalk: Withnell 4; Sligo Rovers: Hallows 7.
Betting: Home 11/10; draw: 8/1; away 2/1.
Referee: J McDermott (Dublin).
