Derry City -v- Cork City

DERRY CITY

Derry City will be looking to keep the pressure on Sligo Rovers and St Pats as they entertain an unpredictable Cork City side at the Brandywell on Friday evening (ko 7.45pm).

The Candystripes remain one point from the summit of the table and will be seeking their first back to back league wins against Cork in twelve years. Declan Devine’s men come into the game on the back of two good away victories against Drogheda United in the league and local rivals Finn Harps in the EA Sports Cup and with Rory Patterson in such sparkling form they will feel confident of getting all three points.

Derry will welcome back Barry Molloy and Ryan McBride from suspension as well as Michael Rafter from injury. Paddy Kavanagh is believed to be still a week or two away from making a return.

Speaking ahead of the clash, the Derry supremo commented  "This game will bring to an end a tough week for us as a squad, three games in a week is never easy but having said that we have to be looking forward to our next challenge and that comes in the form of Cork City. Games between both sides have always been very tight affairs and very physical battles which have provided great entertainment for the fans who come to watch. I'm really looking forward to getting back to the Brandywell and putting on a performance that will show the fans that turned up for our last game (a home loss to UCD) that the performance on that night was a one off and that we can be a match for any team in this league."

CORK CITY

Cork City will be hoping to bring their cup form to the Brandywell on Friday evening after seeing off Wexford Youths 4-0 in midweek. Tommy Dunne’s side’s form in the league has been inconsistent and they suffered a 3-1 reversal to Bray Wanderers in their last league outing.

Worryingly for Dunne, he will be without some of his more experienced squad members as Dan Murray misses the game with work commitments, Denis Behan is out with a knee problem, Kevin Murray has a groin injury whilst Danny Furlong is doubtful with a knock on the ankle picked up against Wexford. Better news sees the return to the panel of Darren Dennehy, Neil Horgan and Brian Lenihan.

Musing ahead of the tie Dunne said "We’ve gone to the Brandywell in worse circumstances as we all know but it is a tough place to go. Derry is always a tough place to go, they are playing really, really well at the moment and we know that we have a bit to do to get a result there. I have to say that we need to get a result because when you lose home games like we have, then you need to pick points up on the road. Derry is a difficult place to do that, but I have no doubt that if there’s one team that can get a result in the Brandywell, then it’s us.”

Referee: Tomas Connolly.

MATCH STATS

Cork City have won on five of their last ten visits to the Brandywell.

Derry City’s Rory Patterson tops the league goal-scoring charts with 11 goals.

Cork City have only lost two of their seven away games this year.

BETTING

Derry City 8/13;  Draw 13/5;  Cork City 9/2.

PREDICTION

Derry City 2 vs Cork City 1

Derry City

Injured: Thomas Crawley (groin), Paddy Kavanagh (hamstring), Mark Griffin (hamstring).
Suspended: None.

Cork City

Injured: Denis Behan (knee), Kevin Murray (groin), Danny Furlong (ankle).
Suspended: None.