Derry City -v- Cork City

DERRY CITY

Derry City will be hoping for a repeat of the three points won in their last home game against Bohemians as there is still an outside chance of making fourth place and therefore a European spot as they take on Cork City at the Brandywell on Friday evening.

In what has been a topsy turvy first season for Declan Devine, he will be hoping to add a bit more consistency to a difficult tenure so far. Injuries have played a major part in the season for the Candystripes and once again they will be without some of their most experienced campaigners for the game against the Leesiders.

Captain Kevin Deery who has barely featured this year is training again but not expected to be in contention for the weekend. Stewart Greacen, another unlucky with injuries this year, has a slight chance of featuring but will likely sit out another week with a knee problem.

Rory Patterson’s hamstring difficulties rule him out whilst Stephen McLaughlin is on the doubtful list. Dermot McCaffrey however will be fit to return to the panel after missing the last two games.

Devine has been heartened by the teams improved form recently and said "We want to do better at the Brandywell. Some of our best wins have come away from home and it's been a while since we've played at home but we want to build on the win we got last time out. Cork have talented players and are capable of hurting you. It will be a testing game but if we play to our capabilities then it's a game we can win." Derry will be looking to in-form midfield general Barry Molloy and the mercurial Patrick McEleney to inspire them to all three points.

CORK CITY

Cork are another team who have had what one would consider to be an up and down season. They are presently lying in eighth position on 25 points but Tommy Dunne is convinced that his side are a better team than their position would suggest.

"I think for ourselves and Derry it's about picking up as many points as possible now", he said. "Derry will want to be further up the table than they are and I think we could have gotten some more points. We have just come up this season but I really think we could have done better. But in this league, you end up where you deserve to end up. There are seven games to go and the table never lies so we have to aim for as many points as we can before the end of the season."

He also remarked, "Derry have been struggling with injuries but they want to have a look at us!”

Midfielder Brian Lenihan will miss the tie as he is on international duty with the Republic of Ireland Under 19 side, while winger Daryl Horgan misses out through suspension. John Dunleavy (ankle), Colin Healy (thigh strain), Cathal Lordan (knee) and Eoghan Murphy (ankle) are all ruled out through injury, while defenders Dan Murray and Neal Horgan will also miss out.

Mark McNulty, Danny Murphy and Vinny Sullivan all return from suspension, after missing the defeat to Shamrock Rovers last week.

Referee: Paul McLaughlin.

MATCH STATS

Derry City have only scored 10 goals in 11 home games this season.

The last fixture between the two teams at the Brandywell finished 2-0 to Derry City.

In the past 10 meetings between the sides, it's 3 wins each and 4 draws.

BETTING

Derry City 10/11 Draw 9/4 Cork City 3/1. 

PREDICTION

Derry City 2 v Cork City 1

Derry City Injury News: Kevin Deery (knee), Rory Patterson(hamstring), Stewart Greacen(knee)

Derry City Suspension News: None.

Cork City Injury News: John Dunleavy (ankle), Colin Healy (thigh), Cathal Lordan (knee), Eoghan Murphy (ankle), Dan Murray (strain), Neal Horgan (leg).

Cork City Suspension News:Daryl Horgan.