Derry City -v- St. Patrick's Athletic

DERRY CITY

Derry City will be hoping to bring an awful run of home form in the league to an end as they face title favourites St Patrick's Athletic in a re-arranged fixture at the Brandywell on Tuesday evening (k.o.7.45pm).

The Candystripes faint hopes of a title challenge seemed to come to an end on Friday as they were soundly beaten by a rejuvenated Cork City at Turner's Cross. City boss Declan Devine remains defiant however.

"Pats are having an outstanding season but at the same time we know if we go into the game playing anywhere near our potential, we can win the game. We have to try and push up the table. We need a few wins under our belt going into the cup game with Sligo.

"We need a bit of momentum. We have to make sure we're still hungry enough to get points on the table and if we can do that, there's no reason we can't get a result against Pats. If you think back, our recent results against Pats have been good. We went down to their place and got a draw, we beat them in the cup final and we beat them two weeks before the cup final so we have a decent record against them. We're just one decent win from turning the corner."

Derry will be without Kevin Deery and Stewart Greacen for the rest of the campaign whilst Sean Houston and Thomas Crawley are doubtful for the game. Rory Patterson will once again shoulder the hopes of the Derry faithful as he continues to score for fun even during this run of form.

ST PATRICK'S ATHLETIC

St Pats will be looking to bounce back from the disappointing draw against Bohemians on Friday and reclaim their place at the top of the table when they travel north to meet Derry City.

St Pats who have had a stunning season so far are considered by many to be the favourites to lift the league crown with just eight games remaining.

Manager Liam Buckley commented, "Friday’s result against Bohemians was a little bit disappointing, but you know we’re still in the mix.  Every game between now and the end of the season is important and the result the other night now means the competition amongst all the teams and for European places is hotting up.  So we’re looking forward to Tuesday’s game, we can go back into first place if we get a result so the lads are eager to get playing again.”

Recently re-signed frontman Daryl Kavanagh added, "It was a disappointing result on Friday and everyone was a bit down but we’ve to go to Derry now and get a result.  I think we created a lot more chances in the first half against Bohs.  Second half we didn’t come out and play with the same tempo as we did in the first and I think that let ourselves down.

"I was happy with the goal on Friday, but ultimately the main aim is to get the 3 points at home.  So we’ll go to Derry and try and repeat our first half performance.  We’ll just have to push on now, and work extra hard up in Derry to get the 3 points." 

St Pats travel to Foyleside with a full panel to select from with no injuries or suspensions to concern them.

Referee: Tomas Connolly.

MATCH STATS

This match should have been played in July but for Derry's European game against Trabzonspor.

Derry have won two and drawn one of the sides last three meetings.

St Pats will go back to the summit of the table with a win or a draw.

BETTING

Derry City 13/5  Draw 11/5  St Patrick's Athletic 21/20

PREDICTION

Derry City 1 - 2 St Patrick's Athletic

Derry City

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

StPatrick's Athletic

Injured: None.
Suspended: None.