League Preview: Dundalk -v- Derry City

Derry boss Roddy Collins focused more on lambasting the Oriel Park surface than assessing his side’s chances ahead of tonight’s clash in Dundalk. Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph, Collins labelled the pitch: “The worst pitch in the world, not even in Ireland, but the world”. The pitch, however will be the last thing on Stephen Kenny’s mind as his side look to continue their impressive start to the season and follow on from their 4-1 victory away to last season’s champions St. Patrick’s Athletic on Friday night.

DUNDALK

The home side go into tonight’s game with doubts lingering over the fitness of influential midfielders John Mountney and Darren Meenan, both of whom picked up knocks against St. Pats on Friday night. The Lilywhites will be boosted by the return to fitness of winger Keith Ward and defender Mark Rossiter, who are both available for selection.

Speaking to Dundalkfc.com, Daryl Horgan reflected on Friday night’s victory away to the champions and looked ahead enthusiastically to tonight’s encounter with the Candystripes: “It was a great win for us in Richmond Park. An unbelievable result for us. It showed everyone exactly what we’re capable of though. It gives us great confidence. Going to the champions and getting that result is great for us. We have no time to think about it though. Straight into another game and we need to back that result up. We know we can and we’re ready for it so hopefully we can get another result. It won’t be easy but we’re looking forward to it.”

DERRY CITY

Derry City go into tonight’s game on the back of what was an impressive 1-0 win against struggling Sligo Rovers at the Brandywell - a first of the season, so they’ll be hoping take something away from Oriel Park tonight. The Candystripes’ only injury concern is Roddy Collins Jr., who limped off during the first half of Friday’s game and is rated doubtful.

Roddy Collins is expecting a “War of attrition” at Oriel Park tonight and feels that fitness may be a deciding factor, with both sides in the midst of a hectic fixture schedule: "The team that comes out on top tonight will have been the team who have recovered most and didn't pick up any injuries from Friday night's games and we had a far tougher game than them obviously, as they won 4-1," he admitted.

Referee: Tom Connolly

MATCH STATS

Dundalk’s overall record against Derry City reads as P64 W24, D16, L24, in the league P53, W20, D15, L18 and at Oriel Park P33 W13 D8 L12

There hasn’t been a scoreless draw at Oriel Park between the sides in over 21 years – September 1992 and 22 meetings since then.

There has only been one scoreless draw in that time and that came at the Brandywell in July 2011.

In terms of clean sheets, Dundalk have kept 23 clean sheets in the fixture while Derry City have 22.

BETTING

Dundalk 10/11; Draw 9/4; Derry 3/1.

PREDICTION

Derry are a very difficult side to break down and won’t leave themselves as exposed at the back as St. Pats did on Friday night. Dundalk will be coming into this game on a high but will they have the energy to break down Derry’s dogged defence? Not for me; 0-0 

Dundalk

Injury News: Darren Meenan, John Mountney.
Suspension News: None.

Derry City

Injury News: Roddy Collins Jnr. (doubtful)
Suspension News: None.