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Sports Mole previews Friday's League of Ireland Premier clash between Cork City and Sligo Rovers, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

The bottom two in the League of Ireland Premier Division will lock horns on Friday evening, with Cork City welcoming Sligo Rovers to Turners Cross.

Cork City are rock bottom of the League of Ireland Premier Division table, picking up just 15 points from 24 matches, while Sligo are ninth, boasting 23 points from their 24 league games this term.

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Match preview

Cork City have a record of two wins, nine draws and 13 defeats from their 24 league matches this season, with 15 points leaving them bottom of the table, eight points behind ninth-placed Sligo Rovers.

City are the reigning League of Ireland First Division champions, so they are aiming to make it successive campaigns at this level of football, but it has been a struggle for them during the current season.

Gerard Nash's side will enter this match off the back of a 3-0 success over Leicester Celtic in the FAI Cup, but they were beaten 2-0 by Waterford United in the league last time out.

Cork City have not actually managed to secure all three points in the League of Ireland Premier Division since April 21, while they have lost eight of their last 11 games at this level of football.

At home, Nash's team have just 13 points to show from their 12 matches, which is the worst record in the division, while they will be welcoming a Sligo outfit that have just eight points to show from their 11 league games on their travels.

Sligo Rovers, meanwhile, have a record of six wins, five draws and 13 defeats from their 24 league matches this season, with a total of 23 points leaving them down in ninth spot in the table.

John Russell's side recorded a 2-0 victory over Dundalk in the FAI Cup last time out, while they were 2-0 winners over Derry City in their last league encounter on July 12.

Rovers have won the League of Ireland Premier Division on three previous occasions, with their last success coming in 2012, but they are currently battling to keep their status at this level.

Sligo, as mentioned, have just two away league wins to their name during the current season, collecting eight points in total, with only Cork City performing worse on their travels in the top flight this term.

The last two league games between the two sides have finished level, including a 1-1 draw when the pair last locked horns in the League of Ireland Premier Division in April 2025.

Cork City League of Ireland Premier form:

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Cork City form (all competitions):

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Sligo Rovers League of Ireland Premier form:

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Sligo Rovers form (all competitions):

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Team News

Cork City will be without the services of Ruairi Keating, Greg Bolger, Milan Mbeng and Conor Drinan due to injury problems, but the hosts have not reported any fresh issues ahead of the contest.

Kitt Nelson has scored six times during the current season, and he will continue in an advanced area, while there will also be a spot in the final third of the field for Sean Maguire, who has netted three times in 14 appearances.

As for Rovers, Ronan Manning and Oskar van Hattum will miss the game due to injury problems.

Owen Elding has had an impressive campaign for the visitors, scoring eight times in 24 appearances, and the 19-year-old will feature in the final third of the field.

There should also be a spot in the side for Wilson Waweru, with the 24-year-old bidding to add to the two goals that he has scored in his 11 appearances this term.

Cork City possible starting lineup:

Odumosu; Crowley, Feely, Kelleher, Kiernan; McLaughlin, Bolger; O'Sullivan, Nelson, Dijksteel; Maguire

Sligo Rovers possible starting lineup:

Sargeant; Reynolds, Denham, McClean, Fitzgerald; Doyle-Hayes, McManus; Elding, Hakiki, O'Kane; Waweru

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We say: Cork City 1-2 Sligo Rovers

 

It is difficult to back either side with any real confidence on Friday considering their struggles this season, but Sligo are certainly in the better form, and we fancy them to edge a close encounter.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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