Derry City v Sligo Rovers

DERRY CITY

Derry City entertain Sligo Rovers at The Brandywell on Friday evening in a 3rd vs 4th place clash.

The Candystripes can move five points clear of The Bit O'Red with a victory and within a point of St. Patrick's Athletic depending on other results.

Derry will be without long-term injury victims Dermot McCaffrey, Thomas Crawley and Dean Jarvis while defender Stewart Greacen is rated as a major doubt.

Speaking to derrcityfc.net, Declan Devine believes his side can get a result against tomorrow's visitors following two League defeats against them earlier this season.

“Everybody is really looking forward to what should be a very entertaining game. It’s great for the North West as a whole when you have two teams who are challenging for the title and when they are both playing attractive football that helps as well.

It has been well documented that our record of late against Sligo Rovers hasn’t been great, but we feel we are more than capable of breaking that. We have been happy with the performances from the squad over the last couple of weeks and if we maintain that on Friday evening we have every chance of gaining another three points at home.”

SLIGO ROVERS

Sligo Rovers visit Derry City tomorrow looking to end a run of six games without victory in all competitions.

The champions welcome Pascal Millien back to the side following International duty with Haiti, but will be without Ross Gaynor (knee) for up to a month following an injury picked up in last week's draw with Shamrock Rovers. Danny Ventre (leg) and Aaron Greene (foot) remain sidelined but are expected to return in the coming weeks.

Speaking to sligorovers.com ahead of the game, Rovers boss Ian Baraclough believes his side can leave Derry with a victory if they replicate recent performances.

"We are no different to any other club in facing injury problems. We have probably been more diligent this season in that area but for whatever reason we have had a few injuries crop up. You can't legislate for it happening, it is just one of those things. It is something we have to cope with and we have the players to do so.

"If we can replicate the performances from the last four matches, we will get the rewards. Each invididual will have to go out and put n the work to make it happen. There was one goal between the teams on the opening day of the season and it was a very close game. I don't expect it to be too different on Friday night.

"There is quality in the Derry City squad, shown by their win in Limerick when they went down there with several players missing. Declan has done a very good job, they've kept the momentum going from their FAI Cup win and they are right in the mix with the other teams at the top. 

"For us, if you take points from your rivals, it will give you a major boost at this stage of the season so we will go out with an intention and ambition to win this game. There are fine margins, if we converted just three of our draws to wins, the difference in the table would be gone and I can count more than three games where we drew and should have come away with all the points. We can't afford to keep dropping points and we need to start picking up some victories."

Referee: Anthony Buttimer.

MATCH STATS
 

Sligo Rovers have lot lost to Derry City in ten League meetings.

The Candystripes have struggled at home in the second series of games this season, losing two of their four games in the Brandywell and winning once in a 2-1 victory over Bohemians.

David McDaid (Derry City) and Ciaran Kelly (Sligo Rovers) are the only current players to have played for both sides.

BETTING

Derry City 7/4; Draw11/5; Sligo Rovers 6/4.

PREDICTION

Derry City 1-2 Sligo Rovers

Derry City

Injured: Dermot McCaffrey, Thomas Crawley, Dean Jarvis.
Doubtful: Stewart Greacen.
Suspended: None.

Sligo Rovers

Injured: Ross Gaynor (knee), Danny Ventre (leg), Aaron Greene (foot).
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: None.