League Preview: UCD -v- Derry City
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This Sunday at 5pm will see UCD at home to Derry City in the UCD Bowl. UCD are currently 12th in the table but are only seven points behind Derry, who lie in 7th. It is a game that promises to be full of goals, bringing eighteen goals in the last four matches between the two.
UCD
June and July have not been good months for UCD’s survival hopes. They have lost four out of their last five league matches and were knocked out of the FAI Cup by Galway FC. They currently sit only six points above Athlone Town who lie in last place. However, it seems that things could be on the turnaround after a 1-0 win over Sligo Rovers two weeks ago and an encouraging performance after losing 2-1 away from home to Cork City.
In their last match, UCD had started well against Cork and they had scored by the sixth minute, thanks to Robbie Creevy. Unfortunately, Hugh Douglas’ red card in the 35th minute gave away a penalty, which Cork duly scored, and left UCD down to ten men for most of the match. UCD did continue to play well, with Conor O’Donnell keeping Derry at bay for most of the match, before Cork’s extra man told and they scored the winner with fifteen minutes remaining.
Aaron Callaghan told ucdsoccer.com that he thought it would have been tough to pick up points at Cork. The UCD manager said, “Cork have had a very good season so far and their league position reflects that. John has done a great job since he joined the set up there and has helped them to take the next step up.” However, the manager also thought UCD “did extremely well” though and “could have come away with a point had we kept ten men on the pitch.”
The Cork game has given Aaron Callaghan selection worries. Douglas’ red card means he will be suspended for the Derry game while Robert Creevy’s thigh injury, sustained during the game, will leave him on the side-lines for four weeks. Dean Clarke will also miss the game while defenders Tomas Boyle and Ian Ryan are major doubts. The good news is that Ayman Ben Mohamed has recovered from his knee injury and is available.
DERRY CITY
Derry City come into this match on the back of European disappointment. Derry were knocked out of the Europa League this week by Shakhtyr Soligorsk, 6-1 on aggregate. In the league though, Derry have had a revitalising June and July, compared to UCD, and are undefeated in four games, winning two of them. They also won their FAI Cup match against Cobh Ramblers.
Derry’s last league game was the 5-0 demolition of Bray Wanderers. Rory Patterson scored twice in the match and they were his first goals for the club in the league since the 5-2 loss to St Patrick’s Athletics. Patterson has been the main man for Derry in games against UCD, scoring six goals in three matches against them last season. Patterson currently has five goals so far this season.
Philip Hutton spoke to derryjournal.com on Derry’s chances against UCD. The Derry boss said, “UCD have been playing well of late, they gave Cork a good test last weekend and they beat Sligo recently too. So they’re in a good run of form and they have some very good young players.” He also acknowledged that UCD will be looking to take advantage of Derry City after their midweek game. “We know it’s going to be difficult and I’m sure they will be trying to capitalise on the fact that we played on Thursday night in Belarus but we have to make sure we look after ourselves.”
In terms of team news, Derry City released defender David Elebert from the club yesterday while captain Cliff Byrne is to miss out through suspension. The good news for Derry is that Ryan McBride returns to the side while Stephen Dooley and Philip Lowry are in contention to make their first starts for the club. Dooley has already appeared in the league, as he came on as a sub, and scored, against Bray Wanderers.
Referee: Paul McLaughlin
MATCH FACTS
UCD and Derry drew 1-1 earlier this season. Last season saw some crazy results, as Derry ran out 6-0 and 3-1 winners while UCD won the other game 4-2.
UCD have scored three of their last five goals in the first ten minutes of the match. However, UCD have only scored those five goals in five matches. Derry have scored twelve goals in their last five matches.
BETTING
UCD 4/1; Draw 13/5; Derry City 4/6.
PREDICTION
Due to both sides missing defenders and Derry possibly being tired, I’m going for UCD 3-2 Derry City.
Derry City
Injured: None
Doubtful: None
Suspended: Cliff Byrne
UCD
Injured: Dean Clarke, Robbie Creevy
Doubtful: Tomas Boyle, Ian Ryan
Suspended: Hugh Douglas
