League Preview: Derry City -v- Finn Harps

DERRY CITY

Derry City will be hoping to maintain their recent good form by picking up all three points at home to their nearest rivals on Tuesday evening (kick-off 8pm). The Candystripes produced an impressive performance against St. Patrick’s Athletic last Friday night and came away with a 1-0 win thanks to Barry MacNamee's winner.

Derry have hit a purple patch lately with the surprise 0-2 defeat at the hands of Sligo Rovers being the only blot on their copybook in that period. The Candystripes have recovered superbly from that opening day setback at Finn Park to put themselves firmly in contention in the SSE Airtricity Premier Division title race.

Derry City boss Kenny Shiels was naturally pleased with the result and the manner of the performance at Richmond Park last Friday night. However, Shiels knows that Finn Harps will be motivated for this clash and will make life as difficult as possible for them, but will hope that they can build on the confidence gained from their recent good run and get a positive result for the home fans.

Derry City will have an almost fully fit squad from which to choose from with the only absentee being Harry Monaghan.

FINN HARPS

Finn Harps have acquitted themselves well in the SSE Premier Division so far this season but will have their sternest test to date with the visit to in-form Derry City at the Brandywell tomorrow night. Harps managed to get the better of their North-West rivals in the opening day fixture 2-1 at the Brandywell but have had mixed fortunes since then.

Finn Harps managed to carve out a 0-0 draw against Bohemians at Finn Park last Friday night despite being under the cosh for most of the ninety minutes. Harps boss Ollie Horgan felt his side didn’t do themselves justice on the night, stating to the club's website: “We were lucky to pick up a point on Friday night. It was not just with the penalty save at the end but in general we didn’t play well enough.”

The Harps manager Horgan is fully aware of the challenge that his side will encounter from their near neighbours: “Derry are third in the table for a reason and have been in excellent form. It could be a long evening especially for us with the quality that Derry have in their squad. It will be hugely difficult to get a result in there but we’ll prepare as best as we can and see what takes us.”

Harps boss Horgan has to contend with a mounting injury crisis at the club and will have to do without the services of Josh Mailey (groin), Raymond Foy (hamstring), Michael Rafter (ankle), Matthew Crossan (knee) with two further casualties from the game against Bohemians with Gareth Harkin (calf) and Keith Cowan (foot) both out.

Referee: Neil Doyle

MATCH STATS

Derry City are currently in 3^rd place in the SSE Airtricity Premier Division with 23 points from their 11 matches so far.

Finn Harps are sitting in 8^th place with 12 points from their 11 league games to date.

In the 60 previous meetings between Derry City and Finn Harps at the Brandywell the Candystripes enjoy the bragging rights with 39 wins to Harps' 6 with 15 draws.

In the last 10 games, Derry City have 6 wins with Finn Harps managing just a solitary win in the previous encounter in March and three matches have ended in a draw.

BETTING

Derry City 8/15; Draw 11/4; Finn Harps 11/2.

PREDICTION

Derry City 2-0 Finn Harps

Derry City

Injured: Harry Monaghan.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

Finn Harps

Injured: Josh Mailey (groin), Raymond Foy (hamstring), Michael Rafter (ankle), Matthew Crossan (knee), Gareth Harkin (calf), Keith Cowan (foot).

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.