League Preview: Derry City -v- Shamrock Rovers

DERRY CITY

Derry City will be hoping that the second phase of fixtures in the league will bring them much more joy than the opening set as they take on high flying Shamrock Rovers at the Brandywell on Friday evening, kick-off 7.45pm.

They will do so without talisman Rory Patterson who will serve a suspension after a harsh sending off against Bohemians last week. Barry McNamee, however, makes a welcome return to the squad after six months on the sidelines and he could be the creative spark Derry have been severely lacking thus far.

Limerick aside, Derry have been the leagues lowest scorers with a paltry eight goals after eleven games. They have been fairly mean at the back though, only conceding ten, and have become draw specialists with seven of their games ending all square.

In the sides’ first meeting in Tallaght, Roddy Collins’ men were very unlucky not to take all three points as they conceded an equaliser deep into injury time.

Speaking ahead of the game Derrys assistant manager Peter Hutton said, "It's another tough series of games coming up but we're a wee bit wiser in terms of the opposition. For a few of our players who came in at the start of the season it was their first experience of League of Ireland football so I am sure they are better now for experiencing that. We were a few seconds away from getting a result in Tallaght and there are no teams out there that we would fear."

Derry will be hoping the creativity of Patrick McEleney and Barry McNamee will give the Dubliners plenty to think about.

SHAMROCK ROVERS

Shamrock Rovers travel to the Brandywell on Friday night sitting just two points off the summit of the Premier division and will be keen to keep the pressure on the leaders as the second round of games commences.

They will be without the services of former Derry hitman Eamon Zayed as he recovers from injury whilst star man Ronan Finn will be given a fitness test before the game. 

That said, Rovers boast an incredibly strong squad and will be favourites to take all three points given the way the season has begun for both sides.

The visitors will be looking to Gary McCabe and Stephen McPhail to power them to the three points as both men have been in great form recently.

Speaking before the match, manager Trevor Croly said "We are looking forward to the second series of games getting started this weekend. We did well in the first series, and now we want to kick on and do even better in the next round. We start with a difficult test as we travel to the Brandywell to take on Derry City. However, it is certainly a game that we are targeting three points from and we know we will have to put in a very good performance and show great character to achieve that, but we have done that numerous times this year.”

Referee: Tomas Connolly

MATCH STATS

Derry City have won three of their last ten meetings with the visitors.

Roddy Collins has managed both sides.

City and Rovers legend Paddy McCourt has just become a free agent........

BETTING

Derry City 29/10; Draw 23/10; Shamrock Rovers 10/11.

PREDICTION

Derry City 1 - 1 Shamrock Rovers

Derry City

Injured:
Doubtful:
Suspended: Rory Patterson.

Shamrock Rovers

Injured: Eamon Zayed.
Doubtful: Ronan Finn
Suspended: None.