Derry City -v- Drogheda United

DERRY CITY

Derry City will be seeking revenge for last weeks defeat against Drogheda Utd in the EA Sports Cup as they face Mick Cooke’s men for the sixth time this season at the Brandywell on Friday evening (k.o.7.45pm)

The Candystripes are still very much in contention in the league and will be looking to build on last Fridays win against UCD in Dublin as they try to keep pressure on St Pats at the business end of the table.

They will have to plan without experienced duo Kevin Deery and Stewart Greacen who are both out with knee injuries but Thomas Crawley, Barry Molloy and Rory Patterson have all recovered from niggling injuries in recent weeks and Declan Devine will have a strong panel to select from.

The importance of talisman Rory Patterson was again emphasised last week as he bagged a brace against UCD and the league’s leading marksman appears to be finding his form again having suffered a barren and injury hit couple of months. Patrick McEleney, who has extended his contract this week was also impressive in a new central role in midfield.

Declan Devine remains upbeat ahead of the clash and said, ”We were very disappointed with our league cup exit at the hands of Drogheda United last week and we feel that we didn’t give a good account of ourselves in that game. However we had a good performance away to UCD on Friday evening and we know we need to bring that positivity into this game if we are to get all three points. I know that Drogheda have been a real menace to us and our results haven’t been great against them but we have an opportunity to break that run on Friday evening”.

DROGHEDA UNITED

Drogheda Utd will go into this fixture brimming with confidence after defeating Derry City comprehensively 3-0 at the Brandywell last week in the EA Sports Cup.

However by last seasons standards their league form hasn't been strong and Mick Cooke will still be looking for points to drag his side further away from the teams that are involved in the relegation places.

The Drogheda boss will be particularly delighted with the form of veteran striker Declan 'Fabio' O'Brien who is second in the league goalscoring charts as well as having scored twice at the Brandywell last week.

The Louth side will be without Shane Grimes who will be serving a ban as well as Gary O'Neill who has a knee problem and Graham Rusk whose calf injury still hasn't healed. Eric Foley will however return to the panel.

Cooke said, "Obviously the lads had a good win against Limerick and we are on a bit of a run at the moment, but we know that each week is a different test and we won't get ahead of ourselves.

“It's going to be a different game when we go up on Friday, obviously league games are different to a one off cup semi-final. They need three points to keep up with the leaders and we are looking for three points to move up the table, so it will be an intriguing game. 

“We have played each other quite a bit this season, we won the last meeting, but they beat us at our place previous to that. We all enjoy going to Derry, the supporters certainly appreciate good football and it's a great venue to play at, so it's a game we are all very much looking forward to”.

Referee: Alan Kelly.

MATCH STATS

This is the sixth time the two sides have met this season between the Setanta Cup, the EA Sports Cup and the league.

The game sees the countries two most prolific strikers Rory Patterson and Declan O'Brien go head to head.

The previous fixtures this season have seen two Drogheda wins, one Derry win and two draws.

BETTING

Derry City evens, Draw 11/5. Drogheda Utd 11/4.

PREDICTION

Derry City 2 - 1 Drogheda Utd

Derry City

Injured: Kevin Deery (knee), Stewart Greacen (knee).
Suspended: None.

Drogheda Utd

Injured: Gary O'Neill (knee), Graham Rusk (calf).
Suspended: Shane Grimes.