League Preview: Derry City -v- Waterford

DERRY CITY

The Candystripes are unbeaten upon their return to the redeveloped Brandywell, putting Limerick, Bray Wanderers and St Pats to the sword, and they host Waterford on Friday night (kick-off 7.45pm).

Derry City made it five wins on the bounce in Sligo on Saturday night with a comfortable 2-0 victory.

Gavin Peers made his debut in Sligo and was immense over the 90 minutes the absence of the injured Darren Cole, so he is almost certain to retain his centre half spot.

"Our only concern at the minute is Waterford tomorrow night and you only have to look at the start they've made to see what we're up against,” manager Kenny Shiels told the club's website.

“We lost down there at the start of the season but as I said before going to Sligo last weekend, we're in much better shape now than we were then.

"The sides above us keep on winning so we're maybe coming in under the radar a bit. I don't mind that at all but if we keep doing what we're doing that will change.

"I'm expecting a really difficult game against a quality team."

There could be further forced changes to the starting eleven with both Ronan Curtis and Nicky Low marked as very doubtful.

In more positive news new signing John Cofie finally made his Derry debut last week with a late cameo appearance in Sligo.

WATERFORD

Waterford come into the game off the back of a commanding home win against reigning champions and Munster rivals Cork City.

Unsavoury scenes at the end of the derby game saw six red cards dished out between the two teams.

As a result, Alan Reynolds will be without the services of Bastien Héry and Stanley Abroah for the trip north, while he himself will have to sit in the stands.

Waterford will be hoping to add to their four-game winning streak after seeing off Shamrock Rovers, UCC, Limerick and Cork City in recent weeks.

“It’s obviously going to be a very tough game because it’s never easy travelling to the Brandywell,” defender Dave Webster told the club's website.

“It’s always a difficult place to go. I think that they found their form now with the new pitch and the new stadium.

“We know that it’s going to be tough but we’re a close group and we’ll stick together.

“We’re down a couple of bodies but there are other players that are chomping at the bit to get back into the team, so this will be their chance to make a mark.

“The performance in the second half against Cork City was fantastic and I think that we’ll have to put in a similar display against Derry.

“We were disappointed with the first half because we didn’t do ourselves justice, so it was great to put in that shift in the second 45 minutes.

“I think that it’s important that we continue to take one game at a time. We’re not getting ahead of ourselves and we just need to show it in every game.

“We just want to put in shift, have pride in our play and get the fans behind us. It’s going to be tough up there, but we’ll be ready for it.”

Rory Feely is poised to make his return from injury as Waterford hope for a repeat of their 2-1 win over Derry in the opening game of the season.

Referee: Neil Doyle

MATCH STATS

Waterford beat Derry City 2-1 in the opening game of the season at the RSC.

Waterford hold one of the best defensive records in the league only conceding seven goals in nine games, only Dundalk with the concession of one can better this.

Derry City on the other hand hold one of the best scoring records in the league to date, with 18 goals in twelve games, 12 of them coming in their three home games to date.

Both sides are in the top three for worst discipline thus far, with only Sligo Rovers having a worse record.

Derry have picked up 20 yellow cards and one red, while Waterford have accumulated 18 yellows and two reds.

BETTING

Derry City 11/10; Draw 23/10; Waterford 11/5.

PREDICTION

Derry City 2-0 Waterford

Derry City

Injured: Darren Cole.

Doubtful: Ronan Curtis, Nicky Low.

Suspended: None.

Waterford

Injured: None.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: Bastien Héry, Stanley Aborah.