League Preview: UCD -v- Derry City

The Students take on Fourth place Derry City on Friday night at the UCD Bowl. (Kick-off 7.45pm).

UCD

The College are in good form having picked up two wins from their previous three league games.

They will be looking to make it three home wins now on the bounce for the first time since last August on Friday night.

Victory over Finn Harps secured UCD’s first three points of their Premier Division campaign with a brace from Richie O’Farrell sealing all three points.

Most recently an impressive 4-1 win over Waterford saw the Students earn all three points with goals coming from Gary O’Neil, Yousef Mahdy, Richie O’Farrell and Sean McDonald.

Speaking ahead of the game Collie speaking to his club’s website said, “Friday was a great win for us against Waterford. We played some brilliant football, created some great chances and then took them very well when they came. We will be looking to keep up our good form and start picking up some more good results and hopefully start moving further up the table.”

Gary O’Neill opened the scoring from the penalty spot, and then was unlucky to see his free kick come back off the bar, but Yoyo Mahdy did brilliantly to re-act quickest and head home. The timing of Richie’s O’Farrell header for our third goal, just after half time was crucial. Then Sean McDonald secured the three points as he capitalised on a loose back pass to grab our fourth.

That victory over Waterford came on the back of a brilliant come back against Shelbourne where a late wonder goal from Timmy Molloy secured a 2-1 victory and a place in the EA Sports Cup quarter final where a tough trip to Oriel Park to face Dundalk is the reward.

Evan Osam will be missing for Friday night’s game, as he continues his recovery after rupturing his achillies on the eve of the season. Conor Davis will also miss the game as he continues his recover from a knee injury, however he is hopeful of returning to training next week. There are no suspensions to report.

DERRY CITY

Coming off the back foot of a feisty North-West derby, Derry City are targeting back-to-back away wins in the league for the first time this season.

The Candystripes have recorded three wins from three in the last fortnight sealing an EA Sports Cup quarter-final place and a comfortable 4^th place position in the Premier Division and are hoping to continue their rich vein as a gruelling schedule continues.

Assistant manager Kevin Deery is under no illusion that Derry will face a tougher challenge this time around. He spoke to the media by saying, “At the Brandywell we played really well against them and it needs to be that mentality again.

“Paddy McCourt played against them as recently as last year and has spoken very highly of them.”

Derry have been victorious in three of the last four meetings between the sides drawing the other fixture 1-1.

Deery commented on taking points off the new sides by saying “We targeted maximum points against the two newly promoted sides.

“They had a great win last week (UCD 4-1 Waterford) but we are halfway there.”

Referee: Graham Kelly.

BETTING

UCD; 11/5, Draw; 9/4, Derry City; 6/5.

PREDICTION

UCD 1-2 Derry City

UCD

Injured: Evan Osam (achilles)

Doubtful: Conor Davis (knee)

Suspended: None

DERRY CITY

Injured: None

Doubtful: None

Suspended: Jamie McDonagh