League Preview: St. Patrick's Athletic -v- Derry City

ST. PATRICK'S ATHLETIC

On Friday St. Patrick's Athletic are looking to recover from last week’s devastating defeat in the FAI Cup, which ended the 2014 FAI Cup winner’s chances of defending their cup crown, when they host Derry City at Richmond Park (ko 7.45pm) .

The 4-0 cup defeat to Cork City saw the Saints capitulate in the second half last week. Pat’s boss Liam Buckley will be seeking a reaction from his players against a Candystripes side who will offer a real challenge as they come in search of much needed points as they hope to avoid a relegation battle.

"Derry have shown some good form in recent weeks,” said Liam Buckley speaking ahead of the game to stpatsfc.com. “So we are expecting them to come to Inchicore and really put it up to us. Peter Hutton always has his side set-up to go out and win and that will be no different on Friday."

If St. Patrick's Athletic are to qualify for Europe next season, they may likely require a top three place in the league. Buckley is absolutely aware three points are a necessity and he is hoping his players can recapture their recent performance levels and form so that they can strengthen their chances of finishing in the top three.

Pat’s had won nine league games in a row until they went down 4-1 to Dundalk in their last league outing.

“We were disappointed with the last two results. We have got a chance on Friday to get back to winning ways. If we can get our performance levels back up to where they were before our recent games against Dundalk and Cork, we can hopefully get the three points.”

The Saints continue to be without injured striker Christy Fagan and therefore will call upon either Aaron Greene or Jamie McGrath to deputise up front. Ian Morris is a doubt ahead of this match, having not played in the last three games for the Saints.

DERRY CITY

Derry's recent league form has improved, although a 1-0 defeat to Sligo Rovers ten days ago meant Derry have been dragged back into the thick of things towards the bottom of the table. Peter Hutton's men travel to Richmond Park in search of much needed points as they look to return to winning ways.

He and his players will take a lot of belief and confidence from their 3-0 victory over Drogheda United in the FAI Cup last Friday and Hutton will be hoping his players can build upon that result.

“We had a really convincing win, a great performance and some very good goals,” said Hutton speaking about that cup win. “We're delighted with that and the boys will take a lot of confidence from that going into the Pat's game.”

Hutton is aware of the opposition team's strengths and current situation, but believes his own boys must concentrate on themselves if they're to come away from Richmond Park with a result.

“St. Pat's are a very good side. The guts of their squad have been together for a number of years, so they have good fluidity. They know each other really well and the way they play. There's good continuity there. They're coming off the back of two successive heavy defeats so they'll be looking to get back to winning ways.

"We know they're going to be like a wounded animal, but we just have to focus on ourselves and make sure we're ready for the battle.”

Peter Hutton believes the decision to punish Philip Lowry's red card against Sligo Rovers with an additional two match ban for violent conduct was “staggering” and a “shambles”.

Derry must do without Lowry and the suspended Conor McCormack for this game and without both players' physicality and bite, Hutton has been left pondering upon choosing the right team to face Pat's.

Referee: Tomas Connolly.

MATCH STATS

St. Patrick's Athletic have already beaten Derry City twice this season and on both occasions won convincingly. A 2-0 victory at home in March was followed up by a 3-0 hammering at the Brandywell at the beginning of June.

St. Patrick's Athletic have won the previous five consecutive games between the sides, including when the teams met in the 2014 FAI Cup Final. Therefore, Peter Hutton as Derry City manager has a 0-5 record against Liam Buckley's St. Patrick's Athletic.

The Candystripes have failed to beat the Saints in Richmond Park since 23 October 2009. The likely starting goalkeepers for both teams (Brendan Clarke and Ger Doherty) are the only surviving players from that game, although it's worth noting Peter Hutton also played in that game at centre half.

BETTING

St. Pat’s 4/9; Draw 3/1; Derry City 7/1.

PREDICTION

St. Patrick's Athletic 2 – 1 Derry City

St. Patrick's Athletic

Injured: Christy Fagan (knee).

Doubtful: Ian Morris.

Suspended: None.

Derry City

Injured: None.

Doubtful: Stephen Dooley.

Suspended: Philip Lowry, Conor McCormack.