League Preview: Galway United -v- Derry City

GALWAY UNITED

After Monday’s semi-final EA Sports Cup win over Dundalk, it’s back to the SSE Airtricity League as Galway United host Derry City in the final series of league games of the Premier Division.

Galway are just three points above Derry, who sit in third last position, and the Tribesmen will be seeking their first league win since the 3-1 defeat at the hands of St. Pats on the last day of July in Inchicore.

United will face Cork City, Bohemians and Drogheda United in the month of August, so it’s vitally important they get points on the board. They can only realistically achieve this with a full strength squad, however, and manager Tommy Dunne is still without several first teamers.

Andy O'Connell, Marc Ludden, Conor Barry and Ryan Connolly are still missing while young forward Padraic Cunningham is out for the foreseeable future after damaging his cruciate. Conor continues to serve his suspension while striker Enda Curran is a doubt for Friday’s clash.

Speaking to galwayunitedfc.ie Dunne knows this is a testing month for his side.

"We have to maintain the gap between ourselves and the Play-off spot, there's a lot of big games coming up, we've got Derry City at home, Sligo at home, Longford at home. We need to try and at least get the same number of points as we did in the last phase, if not more."

DERRY CITY

Derry City come into this game on the back of an impressive 3-0 win over Longford Town and Derry boss Peter Hutton will be looking for more of the same from his side on Friday night.

Despite the good result over Longford, Derry have struggled for form throughout this season. The Candystripes only collected two points from their previous five league games, before Longford, and they have not won on the road since overcoming Edenderry in the FAI Cup which was back in May. 

In team news, both Aaron Barry and Dean Jarvis were both rested duing the week, but are expected to be named in match day squad. Cillian Morrison, however, is out with a viral infection. Recent signings Aaron McEnuff and Ciaran O’Connor both received their international clearances and will be available for Friday night.

Speaking to derrycityfc.net, Hutton was impressed with the way Galway had set themselves up in the win over Dundalk on Monday last.

“They were very well organised, defensively sound and denied Dundalk space all around the park. When we played them last we were very poor and let ourselves down. However it is a different group now and different dynamics”.

Referee: Anthony Buttimer

MATCH STATS

Derry’s last win on the road was against Limerick in April.

It’s one game each in previous clashes this season.

Galway have not won at home since their 1-0 win over Bohs in the League Cup in May.

BETTING

Galway United 7/4; Draw 9/4; Derry City 6/4

PREDICTION

Galway United 2-1 Derry City

Galway United

Injured: Ryan Connolly (ankle), Marc Ludden (ankle), Conor Barry (thigh) Andy O’Connell (foot) Padraic Cunningham (Knee).

Doubtful: Enda Curran.

Suspended: Conor Winn.

Derry City

Injured: Cillian Morrison.

Doubtful: Aaron Barry, Dean Jarvis.

Suspended: None.