League Preview: Derry City -v- Athlone Town

DERRY CITY

Derry City will be looking to kick start their season after a somewhat spluttering start when they take on the leagues bottom side at the Brandywell on Friday evening. (k.o.7.45pm)

Roddy Collins should be well informed on the opposition having managed them to the First Division championship last season before leaving to take up the reins at Derry.

The Candystripes find themselves with only six points from their opening six fixtures and will be looking to go on a run as they face some of the leagues less fancied teams over the coming weeks.

Collins has made some big calls in the opening few games most notably not starting regularly with star striker Rory Patterson and dropping goalkeeper Gerard Doherty and has faced some criticism from fans over his team selections and tactics. City are well known for producing attack minded teams but over recent weeks the emphasis seems to have been on 'keeping it tight' and possibly 'nicking a win' on a rare counter attack.

However due to the nature of the opposition and the fact that Athlone have yet to register a point this season, I would expect to see a much more attack minded line up with likely starts for Patterson, Patrick McEleney and Michael Duffy.

Speaking to the Derry News Collins said “It’s absolutely a chance for us to bounce back after Dundalk, of course it is. It gives us a great opportunity to do it at home on our own patch. We'll see whose fit for it and take it from there."

Midfield general Barry Molloy commented “We’ve got Athlone at home this Friday, that's a chance to get back on track and a chance to make amends for the Dundalk performance. We have to make sure that doesn't happen again and it doesn't happen on Friday night. Our attitude defensively and going forward needs to improve and that starts against Athlone."

Ryan McBride misses out after suffering concussion against Dundalk whilst Barry McNamee is still a couple of weeks away from fitness.

Expect Rory Patterson to be chomping at the bit as he bids to open his goal account for the season.

ATHLONE TOWN

Athlone Town face another daunting trip North as they bid to register their first points of the season at the Brandywell on Friday. The last ten times the two teams have met in Derry, they have yielded only one win and suffered nine losses. This will be the first time the teams have met since the First Division fixture in 2010.

Experienced defender Derek Prendergast will sit the game out after his dismissal against Bohemians last week whilst Aidan Collins will be absent with a shoulder complaint. It will be a tough ask for Mick Cookes men who have yet to get to grips with the reality of life in the Premier Division.

Cooke has maintained that his charges have been unlucky recently and said "We were very disappointed not to get anything out of the two games last weekend and a lot of things are going against us at the minute. We had a brilliant chance early in the game against Bohemians which we didn’t take before conceding a very poor goal just before half time and we definitely didn’t deserve to be behind at the break”

Athlone have some squad concerns to deal with Neil Harney, Alan Byrne, James O'Brien, Sean Byrne and Niall Scullion all expected to be given late fitness tests.

The Town will be looking to experienced front men Graham Rusk and Philip Gorman as well as midfielder Sean Brennan to perform heroics if they are to take anything away from this game.

Referee: Robert Harvey

MATCH STATS

Derry City have won 18, drawn 7 and lost 2 of all competitive fixtures against Athlone.

Roddy Collins face his former side as do Enda Curran and Roddy Collins Jr.

The last fixture between the sides at the Brandywell in 2010 finished 2-2.

BETTING

Derry City 4/11; Draw 10/3; Athlone Town 15/2

PREDICTION

Derry City 2 - 0 Athlone Town

Derry City

Injury News: Ryan McBride (concussion), Barry McNamee (calf).
Suspension News: None.

Athlone Town

Injury News: Aidan Collins (shoulder).
Suspension News: Derek Prendergast.