Shamrock Rovers -v- Derry City

SHAMROCK ROVERS

Shamrock Rovers and Derry City will meet for the third time this season when they face up to each other at Tallaght Stadium in the Airtricity Premier Division on Friday night. (Kick-Off 8pm)

Shamrock Rovers, who beat Derry 2-0 in the second leg of their Setanta Cup semi-final on Monday night (going out 3-2 on aggregate) currently sit in second place in the table. But Rovers’ league form has been mixed of late. In their last three games, they have lost 5-1 to St Pats, beaten Dundalk 6-0 and came from two goals down to get a draw at Bray last Friday night.

Rovers will be without Ciaran Kilduff (broken metatarsal) and Stephen O’Donnell (knee cartilage). Kilduff is set to undergo surgery on his foot in the coming weeks and is now not expected back until after the mid-season break. Killian Brennan will face a late fitness test.

Hoops manager Stephen Kenny is looking for his side to improve defensively “We have had no problem scoring goals this year, as can be seen by the fact we have scored 21 so far. But we do need to tighten up at the back. If we do that, and keep scoring, we will win games.”

Kenny is not expecting an easy game against his former club. “We have had great support at home this season, and we have had a good record at home too. We know we'll face a tough test in Derry City, but we will be looking to keep up our good home record in the league. We'll have a battle on our hands, but that's to be expected in this league”, he concluded.

DERRY CITY

Derry City will face Shamrock Rovers for the third time in just 12 days on Friday night. Having overcome the Hoops in their Setanta Sports Cup semi-final, the Candystripes will be looking to improve on their recent league form. Derry currently lie 6th in the table and suffered an unexpected 2-1 defeat at home to Dundalk last Friday.

Derry will be without the services of Stewart Greacen (knee) and Rory Patterson (foot) while Kevin Deery, Shane McEleney and Owen Morrison will be assessed on Friday.

Derry manager Declan Devine is seeking an improvement in performance from his team following last Monday's 2-0 loss to Rovers in the Setanta Cup. "The lads know that they will have to up their game from last Monday night if we are to get anything from the game in Tallaght. We know it will be a tough game against the Champions and we will have to rely on a number of our young players once again, but myself and Paul (Hegarty) have always believed in giving youth a chance”, said Devine.

Referee: Anthony Buttimer.

MATCH STATS

Shamrock Rovers are the Premier Division's leading scorers on 21 goals. The Hoops have already scored 15 goals in just four home games.

In their two previous meetings this season in the Setanta Cup semi-finals Derry won 3-0 in the first leg in Tallaght on April 16th. Rovers won the return leg 2-0 last Monday night.

Rohan Rickets scored the winning goal for Shamrock Rovers the last time that the two sides met in the league, on October 13th last year.

BETTING

Shamrock Rovers 4/7; Draw 11/4; Derry City 9/2.

PREDICTION

Shamrock Rovers 2-1 Derry City.

Shamrock Rovers Injury News: Ciaran Kilduff (broken metatarsal), Stephen O’Donnell (knee cartilage).

Shamrock Rovers Suspension News: None.

Derry City Injury News: Stewart Greacen (knee), Rory Patterson (foot).

Derry City Suspension News: None.