League Preview: St. Patrick's Athletic - v - Derry City

ST. PATRICK’S ATHLETIC

The Saints will be hoping to return to winning ways this Friday in the Premier Division when Liam Buckley’s side host Derry City in Richmond Park (ko 7.45pm).

St. Pat’s are coming off the back of two away league defeats against Bray Wanderers and Cork City, but the Inchicore side managed to get a win on the board when they beat Bray in the EA Sports Cup quarter-final last Monday night.

Liam Buckley knows the Candystripes will be no easy task and admitted to stpastfc.com that his team will have to be sharp from the onset.

"Derry are going very well this season to date and had a great win in the EA Sports Cup during the week,” said Buckley, “so we're expecting them to be full of confidence. They will come to Inchicore for the win so we have to be at it from the get go."

Following their progression to the semi-finals of the EA Sports Cup where they will play away to Shamrock Rovers, the Saints will be without the services of their top goalscorer Christy Fagan through injury, while both Jack Bayly (thigh strain) and Conor O'Malley (ankle) also miss out.

Former St. Pat’s player Conor McCormack returns to face his former side since signing for Derry last July and young striker Jamie McGrath, who was coached by McCormack at Maynooth University, knows all too well the quality the midfielder possess.

"Conor is now playing regularly for Derry so with players of his calibre in the team, we know that they'll give us a tough game on Friday,” said McGrath speaking to his club’s website. “We'll be up against it, but last Monday gave us some confidence so we'll be going out to win."

DERRY CITY

The Candystripes suffered their first home league defeat of the season last week against a very well organised Sligo Rovers.

Kenny Shiels’ side struggled to get into the game last Friday, but he will be looking to build from Monday’s impressive victory against Cork City at Turner’s Cross in the EA Sports Cup. 

The Candystripes will be boosted with the return of Gareth McGlynn, who hasn’t featured in the starting eleven since April 1 against Dundalk. 

The winger isn’t expected to feature in Dublin, but his presence on the bench will provide Kenny Shiels with an extra boost.

Dean Jarvis and Aaron Barry both played 120 minutes as they continue to recover from their respective injuries. Harry Monaghan (knee), however, remains sidelined.

Rory Patterson will be looking to add more goals to his tally having scored six goals this season for City.

Referee: Tomás Connolly.

MATCH STATS

This will be the 45^th encounter between the two sides. St. Patrick’s Athletic have won 13 of those games, Derry City have won 16 and there has been 16 draws.

St. Pats have won five out of their last six games against Derry City

Derry City has won more home games against St. Pats than away.

BETTING

St. Patrick’s Athletic 13/10; Draw 11/4; Derry City 21/10.

PREDiCTION

2-2

St Patrick’s Athletic

Injured: Conor O'Malley, Jack Bayly, Christy Fagan

Doubtful: None

Suspended: None

Derry City

Injured: Harry Monaghan

Doubtful: None

Suspended: None