Prediction: Motherwell vs Sligo Rovers

Verdict: Motherwell win

Best Odds: 3/5

Bookmaker: Unibet

Getting their Conference League qualifying adventure underway on Thursday night, Motherwell will welcome Sligo Rovers to Fir Park.

Motherwell

Starting with the hosts, while Motherwell might have been disappointed to have signed off last season with a 6-0 drumming against Scottish giants Celtic, Graham Alexander’s men have managed to find a summer boost. Picking up back-to-back friendly victories against Partick Thistle and Austrian outfit Vorwarts Steyr over the past fortnight, the one-time Salford boss should be confident that his side can pick up a first-leg advantage on Thursday night. However, winning just a trio of their final 18 Premiership contests last season and coming under real scrutiny, Alexander also saw his side gain a reputation for their struggles at Fir Park. It should be highlighted, the Steelmen signed off the 2021/22 campaign by winning just three of their final 15 domestic contests in front of their own supporters, a run that stems all the way back to January 22nd.

Team News

All arriving at Fir Park this summer, the trio of Paul McGinn, Blair Spittal and Josh Morris are all likely to feature on Thursday night.

Despite claiming Motherwell’s Golden Boot last season, the Steelmen are sweating over the fitness of Kevin van Veen.

Sligo Rovers

As for the visitors, managing to edge their way past Bala Town last week after a nail-biting penalty shoot-out on home soil, Sligo will know that they face a tough step up in class here. Despite making a string of changes last weekend, there is no doubt that the Rovers would have been disappointed by a real downbeat display. Hit with a shock 2-0 loss against leading relegation scrappers UC Dublin, Head Coach John Russell will be calling on an immediate response from his side on Wednesday night. However, almost finding themselves sat in domestic limbo, Sligo have continued to show some extended issues on the road. Despite snatching a hard-fought 2-1 first-leg win against Bala earlier in the month, that is the only victory that Russell’s men have collected from their last six contests away from the Showgrounds.

Team News

Settling for a spot on the bench last weekend, 22-year-old midfielder Karl O’Sullivan could be in for a recall here.

After bagging five goals in his last six outings, Aidan Keena should spearhead Sligo’s charge on Thursday night.

Key Factors to Consider

• Motherwell signed off the 2021/22 campaign by winning just three of their final 15 domestic contests at Fir Park.
• Likewise, their 2-1 first-leg win against Bala Town earlier in the month is the only away win that Sligo have collected from their last six away fixtures.
• Thursday’s hosts have seen 15 of their last 18 competitive matchups finish with over 1.5 goals.
• Aidan Keena has scored five goals in his last six appearances for Sligo across all formats.
• Six of Sligo’s last seven matchups away from the Showgrounds have finished with both teams finding the net.

Conclusion

While Sligo might have managed to edge their way past Bala Town last week, the Rovers will be more than aware that they face a tough task on Thursday night. Watching Motherwell pick up some perfect momentum as they clinched back-to-back friendly victories against Vorwarts Steyr and Partick Thistle, the Scottish outfit should be too strong for their Irish opposition here. Although Alexander’s side might have continued to show some extended issues at Fir Park last season, the Steelmen rightfully open their first-leg meeting as a standout pick.

Verdict: Motherwell win

Best Odds: 3/5

Bookmaker: Unibet