League of Ireland side Sligo Rovers are set to host Scottish Premiership champions Celtic on Wednesday at the Showgrounds in a friendly match during the international break.
The hosts are in sixth place with 47 points after 32 games and are seven points from first-placed Shelbourne with four fixtures remaining, while the visitors are first in Scotland's top flight and have taken maximum points from seven matches.
Match preview
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Sligo Rovers have already surpassed last season's points total of 37 and could end the 2024 campaign with their highest tally since the 2013 season if they were to win their four remaining games.
The Bit O'Red drew 0-0 last time out with league-leaders Shelbourne on September 27, a match in which they created no big chances and faced 16 shots.
Manager John Russell said that his side played well and dominated proceedings in the first half, saying in the aftermath of the draw that the result felt like two points dropped rather than one point gained.
Russell's side have scored 37 goals and conceded on 37 occasions, these records make them the sixth-best offensive and the third-worst defensive team in the 10-team division, though they have played a game fewer than four top-flight clubs.
Bit O'Red have lost four, drawn one and won three of their eight most recent matches, but they have won eight of their last 10 fixtures at the Showgrounds.
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Opponents Celtic come into the clash having beaten Ross County 2-1 in the Scottish Premiership on Sunday, though they trailed after 43 minutes and only won thanks to goals from Alistair Johnston in the 76th minute and Nicolas-Gerrit Kuhn in the 88th minute.
The result did little to dissipate the disappointment of losing 7-1 against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League on October 1, although boss Brendan Rodgers said the defeat was an opportunity to grow and bounce back higher.
The Hoops' loss in the Champions League means they have now lost 11, drawn four and won just two of their last 17 matches in the competition, with Rodgers having lost 13, drawn four and won just three of his 20 Champions League group stage or league phase games at Celtic.
To Rodgers's credit, his side are first in the top flight and are already five points clear of rivals Rangers, who are in third place.
Celtic's defeat against Dortmund is the only fixture they have failed to either win or progress from in their last 18 competitive matches.
Their loss was also the first time they have lost away from home in their 10 most recent games on the road, with the club winning or progressing on eight occasions and drawing one time in that period.
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Team News
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Sligo Rovers next play on October 14 but last played on September 27, so Russell could start several key players but substitute them before they complete the full 90 minutes to manage their workload.
Goalkeeper Edward McGinty could be shielded by centre-backs Charlie Wigget and Oliver Denham, while Jack Henry-Francis is likely to be used in midfield.
Elsewhere, Luke Pearce could be selected to play as a striker, and he may be flanked by Kyle McDonagh and William Fitzgerald.
Meanwhile, Rodgers has confirmed he will look to provide minutes for players who might not be match fit in preparation for their game against Aberdeen on October 19.
However, centre-back Cameron Carter-Vickers, right-back Johnston and left-back Greg Taylor are likely to miss out but should be available shortly after the international break.
Alex Valle could come in for Taylor, while he may be joined in defence by Maik Nawrocki, Stephen Welsh and Mitchel Frame.
Sligo Rovers possible starting lineup:
McGinty; Wilson, Denham, Wiggett, Hutchinson; Henry-Francis, Patton; McDonagh, Barlow, Fitzgerald; Pearce
Celtic possible starting lineup:
Bain; Frame, Nawrocki, Welsh, Valle; McCowan, McCarthy; Bonnar, Dobbie, Palma; Cummings
We say: Sligo Rovers 0-2 Celtic
Considering that Sligo Rovers have not played a competitive game for some time and have an important league match on the horizon, it would not be surprising if they prioritised fitness over performance.
Despite their loss against Dortmund, Celtic are in excellent form and should come into the clash as clear favourites.
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Lewis Nolan
