League Preview: Derry City -v- Dundalk

DERRY CITY 

Derry City boss Ruaidhri Higgins is expecting another improvement from Dundalk ahead of their visit to the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium on Friday night (kick-off is at 7.45pm). 

The Lilywhites are bottom of the Premier Division and are without a win so far this season. 

But Higgins insists he saw an improvement from Dundalk on Monday afternoon in their 0-0 draw with Drogheda United. 

And he is hoping for the same from his side after they drew against Shelbourne after losing to Galway United just a few days before.

“Monday night was certainly a big improvement on Friday’s display against Galway but we need to take that and look to improve again this weekend” he began.

“I’d say apart from the Sligo game, Dundalk have been well in the rest of their matches so far, and we know they have really good players in their side.

“It’s up to us as the home team to get on the front foot from the start and we need to show real commitment to go and try to win the game.

“We need to give our supporters something to shout about and we’ll do everything in our power to get them right behind us this weekend.”

DUNDALK 

Basement side Dundalk require a victory, and soon, as they get set to visit Derry City. 

The Liliywhites have struggled this season and sit bottom of the pile after a dismal start. 

But their boss Stephen O’Donnell is hoping that his young side can rise to the challenge.

“They’re all tough games,” he said. “You go through the whole card every week, it’s a pick’em with a lot of them. Every game is hard to pick.

“There’s no other league like it. Last year was pretty similar, and this year every game is literally a cup final.

“It’s whoever takes moments. I don’t think there’s any team creating a plethora of chances. Any game I watch, the first goal is obviously huge in our league. 

“Any game, there’s not much in it – we saw that against Shelbourne last Friday and again against Drogheda.”

Referee: David Dunne. 

PREDICTION 

Derry City 3-0 Dundalk 

Derry City 

Injured: Colm Whelan, Cameron Dummigan, Ben Doherty. 

Doubtful: Patrick Hoban. 

Suspended: None. 

Dundalk 

Injured: None. 

Doubtful: Dara Keane, Jamie Walker. 

Suspended: Archie Davies.