AIRTRICITY LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION Sligo Rovers v Shamrock Rovers Kick-off: 7.45pm (Home: 8/5, Draw: 11/5, Away: 8/5)

THE first meeting this season between last year’s FAI Cup finalists and most people’s favourites to be battling it out for the title come the end of the season, should be an intriguing affair as Paul Cook and Michael O’Neill look to steal an early advantage over each other.

Both are almost at full strength although the hosts are unsure of the match fitness of Joseph Ndo, who missed a chunk of pre-season training, while Stephen O’Donnell is suspended and Craig Sives out with a hamstring problem for the visitors.

Cup winners Sligo are also likely to be largely unchanged, having done well in Derry and will be keen to build the sort of early season momentum they have lacked in recent years.

“It was important to get a winning start as we haven’t done that in recent seasons,” says Gavin Peers. “Hopefully we can continue it against Shamrock Rovers.

– Emmet Malone