League Preview: St. Patrick's Athletic -v- Derry City

SAINT PATRICK’S ATHLETIC

The Saints are seeking a win against Derry City on Bank Holiday Monday to move into third place in the Premier Division table (kick off 7.45pm behind closed doors).

Stephen O'Donnell’s men earned a point in Oriel Park on Friday on the season re-start with an impressive performance in a 1-1 draw against Dundalk. They pressed the champions hard during the match and their manager is looking to build on that against the Candystripes.

“There's no time to dwell on our previous result,” said Stephen O’Donnell speaking to his club’s media team ahead of Monday’s match.

“We're looking for similar and more of the intensity and workrate. If you get that every week, you cannot have any complaints. Individuals are going to have off days and bad days, but one thing that is non-negotiable is commitment to the cause. 

“If you get that every week, you would like to think that you would be competitive most weeks. So that's all that we demand at the club, and if we get that every week, we'll be very happy."

The draw against Dundalk was watched by viewers on RTÉ and WatchLOI but with only 200 people allowed in total into Oriel Park. "Coming back to action in Oriel under strange circumstances, it was all part of something we have to get used to and become well versed in. It was up to us to create our own atmosphere, our own intensity and our own energy on the pitch and I thought we did that very well." 

O'Donnell can call on Georgie Kelly for this match after the striker had to sit out the game in Dundalk due to his loan deal with the Lilywhites.

"We've a very quick turnaround now and we welcome a very strong Derry City team, one of the strongest in the league. Again, we are dealing with a side that are three weeks to a month back training previous to ourselves so in situations like that they could stand to them."

DERRY CITY

It was a disappointing return to play for Declan Devine’s men on Friday when they allowed Sligo Rovers earn their first win of the season. The 2-0 defeat for Derry sees them move into Monday in seventh place in the Premier Division. 

Speaking to the Derry Journal, Declan Devine admitted that his players are “hurting” after the performance against the Sligo

"It was hard to take on Friday, but in this shortened season you can't afford to look back, whether that's a good performance or a bad performance.

"You have got to learn from what you have done from the previous game and you have to advance it and then move onto the next game.”

If they can bounce back and earn a victory by at least two clear goals they will jump above St. Patrick’s Athletic and into fifth place.

“We have spoken about St Pat's and their strengths and weaknesses. They had a good result and performance on Friday night at Dundalk and we have to make sure that we go down there, match them and do our jobs to the best of our capabilities."

Devine has James Akintunde available to him after he missed Friday’s game due to COVID-19 quarantine protocols but Ally Gilchrist is a doubt having been withdrawn due to injury at half time against Sligo. 

Referee: Rob Hennessy

MATCH STATS

Derry City did pick up a win in Inchicore last season beating the Saints 3-1 in April. Pat’s won 1-0 in Richmond Park later in the year. In the Brandywell, there was a 1-1 draw and a 3-1 away win for Pat’s when the teams last played.

The Candystripes have lost both of their games on the road so far this season and it is three straight defeats in the league for Derry.

BETTING

St. Pat’s 13/10; Draw 2/1; Derry City 2/1.

PREDICTION
2-1 home win

St. Patrick’s Athletic

Injured: None.

Suspended: None.

DERRY CITY

Injured: None. 

Doubtful: Ally Gilchrist

Suspended: None.

League Gallery: League Report: Dundalk 1 - 1 St Patrick's Athletic https://t.co/iER07pUip2@ryanmilestonepic.twitter.com/unXLUGTsWV

— Extratime.com (@ExtratimeNews) August 1, 2020