Derry City -v- U.C.D.

Derry City
Derry City will be hoping to bounce back from last week's defeat to Drogheda United when they welcome UCD to the Brandywell on Friday night.

Declan Devine will have to plan without four players as Barry Molloy serves a suspension after his sending off at United Park last week whilst Mark Farren (foot), Ryan McBride (knee) and Stewart Greacen (knee) are out injured. Greacen looks set to be out of action for a while after damaging the cartilage in his right knee.

Speaking to derrycityfc.net ahead of the game, Devine said that he was disappointed with the performance against Drogheda but his happy with the work put in on the training ground this week. 

"After what was a bad night in Drogheda last Friday where I felt we just didn't perform, we have come together as a group this week on the training ground, and I have been very happy with the work the lads have put in. On a positive note it was great to get Kevin Deery back last week, he's the type of player that gives us all a lift when he's on the pitch."

"Having said that the lads know that I will be looking for a good response against U.C.D and that we can't afford to go out onto the pitch giving anything less than 100%. The most important thing for me is that we concentrate on our own game and get that right and if we are successful in this we can win the game and keep our home record intact." 
 

UCD 
UCD go into this game looking to record their second victory in a row following a hard fought 3-2 win over Monaghan United last weekend.
 

Ger Barron and Paul Corry are still out for the Students, both suffering from foot injuries while James Kavanagh is a doubt with a hip flex problem. There is some good news on the injury front however as Samir Belhout and Gary Burke trained this week and should travel with the squad.
 

Speaking to ucdsoccer.com, manager Martin Russell knows his task against Derry could be more difficult as he faces a team looking to bounce back from defeat, but feels his team are growing and will need to show "an appetite that you need when you go to the likes of the Brandywell".

 

"You want to achieve results away from home as well as at home, we will go to the Brandywell knowing that they will be trying to bounce back from their Drogheda defeat, we have to go there in a positive manner and play our game, and try impose ourselves on it, as always we will be asking the lads to show us what they can do."

"In terms of playing at the highest level this group have only had one season behind them really, so yes they are growing and they need to grow more and they still need that appetite to keep pushing on, an appetite that you need when you go to the likes of the Brandywell, they(the players) are not going their just to participate, they are going there to play well and show them what we can do."


Referee : Derek Tomney

MATCH STATS
Clashes between these two sides haven't been short of goals, with a total of sixteen being scored last season. Derry City have scored 13 of those goals however, with many of them coming in a 7-0 drubbing at The Brandywell.

UCD's top scorer in all competitions, Cillian Morrison, is a former Derry City man. He joined The Students from the Candystripes in July 2010.

Graham Rusk is UCD's top scorer in the League with three goals. Rory Patterson and Stephen McLaughlin are joint top scorers for Derry with two goals each.

 

BETTING
Derry City 4/9; Draw 3/1; Away win 13/2. 

PREDICTION
2-2. 

Derry City Injury News: Stewart Greacen, Mark Farren, Ryan McBride
Derry City Suspension News : Barry Molloy.

 

UCD Injury News: Ger Barron, Paul Corry, James Kavanagh.
UCD Suspension News : None