MOTHERWELL have got their work cut out if they don't want their name to be added to the Scottish football hall of shame when they travel to Ireland on Europa Conference League duty.
Graham Alexander's men suffered an extremely disappointing 1-0 home defeat to League of Ireland side Sligo Rovers and now face a sold-out Showgrounds in the return leg with just 300 Well fans getting tickets for the game.
There were no excuses for Well last week. They were backed by a noisy support, but froze on the day. Despite what Alexander said, they didn't deserve to win the game and created next to nothing after the interval when they had to go for it after trailing early.
Sligo looked fitter – no surprise given they are approaching the business end of the season in Ireland – and were well organised defensively against a Well side who surely must be regretting playing just two pre-season friendlies before this.
However, there is hope for the Streelmen. Sligo were hardly world beaters and better sides would have swatted them aside. And in the last round, they won 1-0 away in Wales in the first leg before losing to Bala Town at home in the second leg when they were lucky not to be eliminated.
They won in a penalty shoot-out but their hero keeper from that night, Ed McGinty, was sold to Oxford United.
How the bookies view it
Well are clear favourites again and can be backed at 21/20 with William Hill. Sligo are underdogs at 3/1 with Unibet and the draw is 11/5 with Betfred.
Recent head to heads
Their meeting in Lanarkshire last week was their first and here's a reminder of that disappointing night for the hosts below where Sligo took a one-goal lead to Ireland.
Players to watch
Former Hearts, Dunfermline and Falkirk striker Aidan Keena is Sligo's class act as he proved with a cool lobbed finish for the game's only goal at Fir Park last week. He's already scored 12 goals in 12 games this season and will be of interest when the goalscorer market prices come out.
Kevin van Veen was clearly not fit last week, but the robust Dutchman should be better this week. This could be a slog and it could suit his game.
Anything rlse catch the eye?
Motherwell can go and win this, despite the paucity of their performance last week.
They look ill-prepared and undercooked, but they've had a week to lick their wounds and will be fitter too. They simply can't be as bad again against a bang-average Sligo side who have already fluffed their lines in Europe in the last round at their Showgrounds home against Bala Town.
Sligo are likely to play it the same way and invite Motherwell on to them again, but it could backfire. It's even worth taking a risk on Well to avoid extra time and win by two goals at 16/5 with Boylesports.
This UEFA Europa League Conference match between Sligo Rovers and Motherwell will be played on Jul 28, 2022 and kick off at 19:00. Check below for our tipsters best Sligo Rovers vs Motherwell prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.