League Preview: Wexford Youths -v- Derry City

WEXFORD YOUTHS

Wexford Youths welcome in-form Derry City to Ferrycarrig Park on Saturday evening as the home side search of their elusive first win of the season.

Despite being winless thus far the Youths have by no means been disgraced in the opening fixtures which have included a narrow loss to defending champions Dundalk and a thrilling encounter with Bohemians at Dalymount which ended 3-3.

Speaking of last week’s game, manager Shane Keegan was trying to focus on the positives.

"The lads know themselves that to lead three times and not come away with the three points is not good enough and I'm sure you could all see their frustration at the final whistle. But it shows how far we've come as a team and a club that we're leaving Dalymount Park annoyed that we've only picked up a point."

DERRY CITY

Derry City travel to Wexford attempting to continue the top form they have shown so far with nine points already chalked up.

After losing some of their top players during the off season, most expected Derry to be struggling however their form so far has gone against the script with the Candystripes securing three wins in a row after the disappointment of the opener against Finn Harps.

Despite flying high Kenny Shiels knows his side will be in for a tough assignment on Saturday evening.

“They have Johnny Bonner from Donegal and Adian Friel from Strabane in their ranks; Paul Murphy is a very good striker, Chris Kenny in midfield is good and Danny Furlong up front is a top striker.

“So they have got good pedigree, we know about them and we have got to be prepared for a battle.”

Referee: Graham Kelly

MATCH STATS

Wexford’s top marksman last season (Danny Furlong) scored three times as many goals as Derry’s top goalscorer (Mark Timlin). Furlong netted 24 to Timlin’s 8.

Derry’s win over Galway United last Friday was the first time in 17 months that the Candystripes had recorded three successive wins.

The last time the two sides met at Ferrycarrig Park back in 2011, Wexford Youths ran out 4-1 victors.

BETTING

Wexford Youths 11/5; Draw 23/10; Derry City 6/5

PREDICTION

Wexford Youths 1-2 Derry City

Wexford Youths

Injured: Aidan Keenan, Peter Higgins,Shane Dunne

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

Derry City

Injured: None.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.