League Preview: Limerick -v- Derry City

LIMERICK

Struggling Limerick take on the challenge of high-flying Derry City in a crucial encounter in the SSE Airtricity Premier Division at the Market’s Field on Monday evening (kick-off 7.45pm).

The Shannonsiders will seek to move themselves further clear of the drop zone in the SSE Airtricity Premier Division by claiming back to back victories with the scalp of the Candystripes.

 Limerick gave themselves a much needed confidence boost last Friday night with a precious 1-0 away win over bottom side Bray Wanderers at the Carlisle Grounds.

A strike from Shane Duggan five minutes into the second half was sufficient to take the points back to the Mid-West.

However, the Super Blues rode their luck somewhat in the first half when the Seagulls were awarded a penalty but Gary McCabe spurned the opportunity shooting his spot-kick over the bar.

The Super Blues boss Tommy Barrett was naturally delighted with the hard earned win, telling the club’s website: “It’s nice to get back to winning ways. Obviously, we need to win more games.

“I’ll go back to it again – people were writing us off completely at the start of the year, saying we are going to be relegated and relegation fodder, and were we going to win a game.

“I believe that the lads are working hard and they’ve worked hard all along. With the amount of injuries we’ve had and the players we’ve had out. I think we’re doing reasonably well.”

The Super Blues win ended a horrendous run which saw the Shannonsiders without a win in their previous 10 matches in all competitions.

Limerick have found goals hard to come by this season scoring only seven goals in their 14 league matches so far and have had a leaky defence, conceding 25 goals.

Limerick are currently in eighth place in the SSE Airtricity Premier Division on 13 points from their 14 games with three wins, four draws and seven defeats.

Limerick boss Tommy Barrett has pretty much a fully fit squad from which to select from with Daniel Kearns the only doubt and the Super Blues have no suspensions.

DERRY CITY

Derry City travel to the Treaty County with aspirations of enhancing their prospects of European football next season by taking the scalp of Limerick.

The Candystripes had to battle hard to claim a point at home last Friday evening in the SSE Airtricity Premier Division against Shamrock Rovers at the Brandywell.

Both sides created some chances but cancelled each other out with the game ending in a 0-0 draw.

This followed another hard fought 2-2 away to Dundalk at Oriel Park the previous week with the Candystripes showing their fighting spirit coming from behind twice with Eoin Toal grabbing the all-important equaliser early in the second half.

Derry City are currently the form team in the SSE Airtricity Premier Division on an 8 match unbeaten run with 6 wins and 2 draws, which included a 1-0 win over an impressive Waterford side at the Brandywell.

Derry City boss Kenny Shiels is understandably delighted with the progress of his side this season and will be hoping that they can continue their unbeaten form by taking all three points back to the North.

Derry City are currently in 4^th place in the SSE Airtricity Premier Division on 23 points from their 12 league matches with 7 wins, 2 draws and 3 defeats.

Referee: Graham Kelly

MATCH FACTS

Limerick and Derry City have met already once this season in the SSE Airtricity Premier Division with Derry City winning 5-0 at the Brandywell in March.

In their 3 league meetings last season both sides drew 1-1 at the Brandywell and then 1-1 at the Market’s Field with Derry City comfortably winning the final encounter at home 3-0.

The Candystripes and the Super Blues have met 18 times in all competitions since 2006 with Derry City dominating the fixture with 11 wins to Limerick’s 2 and 5 draws.

Limerick scored six goals in 18 matches, averaging 0.33 per game, and Derry scored 33 goals in the 18 games, averaging 1.83 goals per game.

BETTING

Limerick 7/2 Draw 13/5 Derry City 4/6.

PREDICTION

Limerick 1-2 Derry City

Limerick

Injured: Shaun Kelly (knee).

Doubtful: Daniel Kearns.

Suspended: None.

Derry City

Injured: Unavailable.

Doubtful: Unavailable.

Suspended: None.