Drogheda United -v- Derry City

DROGHEDA UNITED

Drogheda United’s away form has seen them register some high scoring wins, however they have yet to taste victory at home so far this season. The Boynesiders are scoring for fun, nine goals in their last two games with four different scorers in each game.

Mick Cooke made seven changes from the side that beat Bray 4-2 for the EA Sports Cup game against Athlone Town and was rewarded with a comprehensive 5-2 win in Westmeath. The fact that his side are scoring so freely is a big positive for the former Mons manager.

He said: “I got the response I wanted. We have had four different scorers on Friday night against Bray and the same again on Monday. We aren't relying on strikers to provide goals, they are coming from all over the pitch. ”

Once again the Drogs manager will have some team selection dilemmas which will not be helped with the fact that he will have an almost fit squad. Cathal Brady is the only definite absentee from Friday's game, while Peter Hynes, Ryan Brennan and Declan O'Brien are all slight doubts ahead of the clash.

Despite the good form, Cooke is under no illusions that since the Shamrock Rovers game, this will be their biggest test so far this season.  “I think Derry City are going to push Shamrock Rovers all the way this season and it's going to be a tough match on Friday. Declan Devine has carried on from Stephen Kenny and they are no pushovers. It will no doubt be a big test for us on Friday night.”

DERRY CITY

Mick Cooke’s opposite number Declan Devine is also expecting a tough encounter when he travels to Louth. “We fully expect a very difficult game in Drogheda on Friday night. Mick Cooke has not just strengthened his starting eleven but his squad as a whole. I feel that Mick has added some talented players and with eight goals scored in their first four games they now pose a real goal-scoring threat to any team.”

Derry have not been too short on goals themselves in recent games, a 4-0 win away to 10 man Bray and a 3-1 home win to Linfield followed most recently by 2-0 win at home to Cork City. However more impressively is the fact that they have only conceded one league goal this season, that coming when they lost 1-0 away to Shels.

Devine is taking a very pragmatic approach to the game: “We are under no illusions that this will be a real ding dong game, but I feel that we have showed a little more consistency over the last week or so and that is what myself and Paul Hegarty have been working on with the team.

“Both myself and Paul are happy with the way our defence has gelled together so far this season, and with the likes of Rory Patterson, Patrick McEleney and Stephen McLaughlin starting well, it's been a case of so far so good.”

Derry City are without Eddie McCallion for Friday's game due to an ankle injury while Stephen McLaughlin (hamstring) and Patrick McEleney (toe) will undergo late fitness tests.

Referee: Graham Kelly

MATCH STATS

Drogheda failed to beat Derry in their last four meetings, the last win against Derry came at the Brandywell

Having scored against Cork City last weekend, Mark Farren is just three goals away from Liam Coyle's record of 112 goals

BETTING

Drogheda United 11/4, Draw 23/10, Derry 23/20

PREDICTION

Drogheda United 2-2 Derry City  

Drogheda United Injury News: Cathal Brady,Declan O’Brien, Ryan Brennan, Peter Hynes

Drogheda UnitedSuspension News: None

Derry City Injury News: Eddie McCallion, Stephen McLaughlin, Patrick McEleney

Derry City Suspension News: None