Waterford v Sligo Rovers Prediction: 23/20 Blues can close gap to Bit O'Red

The League of Ireland resumes after the mid‑season break with a crucial relegation scrap between rock-bottom Waterford and ninth-placed Sligo Rovers at the RSC on Friday evening.

The break arrived at the perfect time for John Russell, whose injury‑ravaged Rovers squad suffered a bruising 3–1 loss to Bohemians at the Showgrounds a fortnight ago.

Bit O'Red must now regroup quickly as they travel to face a Blues side on the up after Graham Coughlan replaced Jon Daly at the start of May.

The ex-Newport County boss has overseen some early improvements with two draws and a win from his first four games in charge, but only time will tell if this was just the new manager bounce or something more sustained.

Waterford's draw with Drogheda before the break reduced the gap between the sides to eight points, and Coughlan's team know that victory on Friday would drag Sligo deeper into the relegation battle.

Sligo, meanwhile, remain down to the bare bones with seven players injured, including some key midfielders, and no immediate sign of reinforcements.

With both teams under pressure and the stakes rising at the bottom of the table, this promises to be a hard-fought affair.

Waterford v Sligo Rovers Tips Summary

Best Bet - Waterford to win @ 23/20
Alternative Bet - Over 2.5 goals & Both teams to score - Yes @ 11/10
Bet Builder - Tom Lonergan to score, Under 11 corners & Both teams to score @ 6/1

Best Bet: Waterford to win @ 23/20

Waterford enter this fixture in far better shape than their opponents in terms of form and fitness. Coughlan's side have been competitive in all four games since he took charge and they are now unbeaten in their last five at the RSC.

The Blues create chances, play with intensity and rarely allow visiting sides to settle now, in stark contrast to some of their performances during the 13-game winless run that brought about the coaching change.

Meanwhile, Sligo’s 3–1 defeat to Bohemians exposed the fragility of a squad stretched to its limits.

With Jad Hakiki out for the season, Archie Meekison sidelined for up to eight weeks, and no timeline for Sean Stewart, Conor Reynolds or Ciaron Harkin, Russell is missing the core of his midfield.

Even the players available are being asked to play out of position, and Russell admitted his team were “off our levels” against Bohs.

With so many absentees and confidence low, Sligo face a huge challenge.

Waterford, fresher and more settled, should have enough to take all three points.

Alternative Bet: Over 2.5 goals & Both teams to score - Yes @ 11/10

While Waterford have improved their attacking output under Coughlan, scoring multiple goals in each of their last three games, they still cannot keep the back door shut.

Both teams have scored in their last six games in total and with the same true of four of Rovers’ last five, there is certainly scope for goals at both ends on Friday.

At least three goals may be scored because Waterford cannot afford not to win the game and know they are not currently capable of keeping a clean sheet.

Waterford v Sligo Rovers Bet Builder Tip

• Tom Lonergan to score

• Under 11 corners

• Both teams to score
  Pays 6/1

Blues hitman Lonergan is in great form with five strikes in his last six appearances, including a brace against Drogheda and a predatory finish in the 3-3 draw last time out.

Waterford were a high-volume crossing team at the start of the campaign, and are still top of the corner charts in the Premier Division, but their approach has changed in recent weeks.

They have crossed fewer times under Coughlan and have also not had to defend anywhere near as many crosses themselves in the past few games.

That has led to the corner count in their last three matches failing to reach double figures and there is a good chance that trend continues against Bit O’Red.

But both teams to score looks a worthwhile addition to this Bet Builder given four of Sligo’s last five and Waterford’s last six contests have seen goals at both ends.

Learn more about how Bet Builders work in our Bet Builder guide.

Key Match Stats

• Waterford can reduce the gap to Sligo to five points with a win

• Sligo have lost three of their last four league matches

• Waterford have scored in five of their last six home games

• Tom Lonergan has scored five goals in his last six Premier Division games

• Four of Sligo’s last five matches have seen BTTS, as have Waterford’s last six

• Waterford are unbeaten in their last three home fixtures

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.