FAI Cup Preview: Derry City -v- Wexford

DERRY CITY

Derry City welcome Wexford to the Brandywell for the first time in three years as they bid for their first FAI Cup crown in seven years (kick-off 7.45pm).

Declan Devine’s side head into the game in decent form having won back-to-back games to Waterford and UCD last week.

The Candystripes were given a scare in Belfiield when Sam Byrne fired UCD into thelead but goals from Jamie McDonagh, Conor Davis and David Parkhouse earned a 3-1 win.

Davis, who made the move from the Students at the beginning of July, netted his first Derry goal within a minute of his introduction as a sub to turn the tie Derry’s way.

"We've prepared for this game as we would for any other because we want to win it,” said assistant manager Kevin Derry to the club’s media team.

“Wexford won't give us anything for free and this is a competition that we would like to go deep in, but we have to earn that "

"We needed extra time on Monday night which can mean tired legs so we've had to manage things this week.

“We have a full squad to choose from so we have good options to consider and everyone is keen to play.

'We've only lost twice in the last couple of months and we're now up to third in the league and in the final of the EA Sports Cup.

"It hasn't happened by accident- it's come about because of sheer hard work and it has been exactly the same this week ahead of the cup game.”

Derry have no injuries or suspensions to contend with as Junior Ogedi-Ukokwe has shaken off the knock that saw him miss last week’s 3-1 win at UCD.

WEXFORD

A much-depleted Wexford side make on the league’s longest round trips to face Derry City in a testing first-round encounter.

Brian O’Sullivan’s side are very much a work in progress as they look to unseat themselves from the bottom of the First Division table.

The trip to Derry offers something of a shot to nothing for the south-east side, but they’ll have to do without a host of senior players including top scorer Danny Furlong.

Defender Ricky Fox, and midfielders John Peare, Andy Muliggan and Chris Kenny will all miss the game with injury, while Nika Arevadze is away on holidays.

Referee: Damien McGraith.

MATCH STATS

Friday night's game will be Derry's 1,500th in the League of Ireland and should they win, it will be their 700th victory.

The sides last met in the Premier Division in 2016 when Wexford still participated as Wexford Youths.

Derry won two and drew one of the league meetings between the sides, as well as winning their FAI Cup quarter-final 3-1 at Ferrycarrig Park.

Eric Molloy opened the scoring for Wexford in that game, but goals from Rory Patterson, Lukas Schubert and Barry McNamee spun the tie on its head.

BETTING

Derry City 1/25; Draw 9/1; Wexford 80/1.

PREDICTION

Derry City 3 – 0 Wexford

Derry City

Injured: None.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

Wexford

Injured: Ricky Fox, John Peare, Andy Mulligan, Chris Kenny.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

Unavailable: Nika Aravadze (holidays).