The opening leg at Fir Park last week had ended 1-0 in favour of Sligo Rovers courtesy of Aidan Keena’s first half strike.
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Sligo Rovers will host Motherwell in the second leg of the Europa conference League second round qualifying clash at the Showgrounds Sligo on Thursday. The opening leg at Fir Park last week had ended 1-0 in favour of Sligo Rovers courtesy of Aidan Keena’s first half strike. The hosts are currently in the midst of the League of Ireland Primera Division, sitting at the fifth spot with 32 points from 23 games, 20 points behind leaders Shamrock Rovers. The Scottish outfit on the other hand, finished sixth in the Scottish Premiership last term, collecting 40 points from 33 games. Meanwhile the Irish club got the better of Bala Town 4-3 on penalties in a two legged tie of the Europa Conference League first round qualifier to reach this far in the qualifiers.
Preparations continue ? pic.twitter.com/O64dV3zlII
— Motherwell FC (@MotherwellFC) July 27, 2022
Sligo have never competed beyond the qualifying stages of European competition since the 1996 Intertoto Cup. However the Bit O’Red now have an incredible opportunity to move one step closer towards ending the barren run. Motherwell, on the other hand, got the better of Glentoran and Coleraine in last season’s Europa Conference League qualifying before falling at the final hurdle to Isreali outfit Hapoel Be’er Sheva. Graham Alexander’s side will need to quickly shrug off their below par performance in the first leg, get their acts together and put up a monumental performance on thursday to overturn the one goal deficit.
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Sligo head coach John Russell is unlikely to make too many alterations to the side that got the job done in the opening leg last week. Keena is likely to lead the attack with Fitzgerald and O’Sullivan operating down the flanks. Cawley, McDonnell and Morahan could pull the strings in the midfield. As for Motherwell, Joe Efford and Ross Tierney, who came off the bench in the first leg, could get a place in the starting eleven on Thursday. David Devine and Barry Maguire are ruled out due to injuries.
Sligo Rovers probable starting lineup: McNicholas; Banks, Blaney, Buckley, Kirl; O’Sullivan, Cawley, Morahan, McDonnell, Fitzgerald; Keena
Motherwell probable starting lineup: Kelly; McGinn, Lamie, Mugabi, Carroll; Spitall, Tierney, Slattery, Morris; Efford, van Veen.
The Europa conference League qualifier between Sligo Rovers and Motherwell will take place at the Showgrounds Sligo on Thursday at 11:30 pm IST.
Live coverage of the match is available on Premier Player HD, LOITV and Premier Sports 1.
