League Preview: Derry City -v- Cork City

DERRY CITY

The home side are looking to get their campaign up and running after their draw with St. Patrick’s Athletic last weekend.

They seemed poised to record an impressive win on the road until they were pegged back in the final minute.

The FAI Cup winners will be hoping for better luck in front of their own fans against a side they defeated on route to the final.

They will have to reshuffle their side after injuries picked at Inchicore.

Ruaidhri Higgins expressed caution ahead of the game: “The pressure will be off them a bit and I have no doubt that they will be well set up and difficult to play against”

He also expressed confidence in his squad given the injury list: “We have a really good squad this season and thankfully we have plenty of quality to deal with those issues.

“There are a lot of versatile players in our squad and I’m more than happy with our options”

CORK CITY

It was a disappointment for last year’s First Division champions last week as they were unable to get a positive result in their first game back in the top flight.

In front of the TV cameras, they conceded early in both halves to lose to Bohemians. A

Ruairi Keating goal sparked a revival, but they left it too late to record a draw.

It emphasised the step-up to a higher level and it does not get any easier against last season’s runners-up.  

Colin Healy was looking to gain the positives from the game: “In the second-half, we came out and changed the system. We were very good in the second-half.

“That was more like us. It was similar to last year in that we keep on going and don’t give up easily”.

Cian Bargary emphasised what they need to get a result from this game: “We need to work harder. We need to keep the ball better.

“You saw what happened when we got going that we nearly nicked a result.”

Referee: Damian McGraith

MATCH STATS

Both sides only played each other twice in the last league campaign they faced one another in (2020) – with Derry winning both games.

BETTING

Derry City 2/7; Draw 15/4; Cork City 8/1.

PREDICTION

Derry City 2 - 1 Cork City

Derry City

Injured: Cameron Dummigan, Michael Duffy, Cameron McJannet

Doubtful: N/A

Suspended: Sadou Diallo

Cork City

Injured: Cian Murphy

Doubtful: N/A

Suspended: N/A