League Preview: Derry City -v- Bohemians

DERRY CITY 

Derry City will host an in-form Bohemians in the Brandywell on Friday night in the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division (Kick off: 7:45pm). Derry recorded a strong 2-0 win away to Limerick on Monday evening and will be looking to build upon that result. 

Looking back at Monday night’s game and the last few weeks, Peter Hutton had this to say:

“Over the last couple of weeks we have, I feel, been playing well enough to get good results and that was the case on Monday evening in Limerick.

“It was a good solid performance and we got what we deserved. It was a real team performance, with everyman from 1 to 11 acquitting themselves very well, and in truth we could have won by more.”

The Derry record appearance holder then had this to say in anticipation of this Friday’s matchup:

“We know that we need to bring that positivity into tomorrow night's game against Bohemians. This game will really be a big test for us. Bohemians will arrive here in good form and feeling very positive.

“They have been playing very well so far under the guidance of Keith Long and it shows with the scalps they have already taken and the fact they have yet to concede on the road.”

The Derry boss then concluded with his assessment of Keith Long’s side:

“Keith has put together a squad with a great mix of youth and experience with the likes of Dean Kelly, Derek Prendergast and Lorcan Fitzgerald.

“They have been very disciplined on the pitch and that shows in the results so far. From our own point of view, we have been excellent in training all week and we know that we are hard to break down and score against while at the same time we have a lot of attacking options that can cause any team problems.”

The Derry manager has a lot of injury worries coming into this game with a long list of casualties. Stephen Dooley, Shaun Kelly, Sean Patton, Aaron Barry, Seamus Sharkey, Dean Jarvis, Shane McEleney and Phillip Lowry at this point look to be unavailable for selection. The only positive note for the side is that club captain Ryan McBride will make a return after suspension.

BOHEMIANS 

The Gypsies will be looking to continue a great start to the season which sees them sitting in 4th position in the Premier Division table having drawn last time out against Sligo Rovers. 

Speaking of that draw with the Bit o’Red, boss Keith Long had this to say:

“We created the outstanding chances in the game, so it does feel like two points dropped.

"Sligo are a good team despite their indifferent start to the season, so we're not too disappointed to come away with a point. However, I did feel we had enough clear-cut chances in the game to get the three points.

“Derry is a tough place to go and a tough place to get anything from. But I, along with the backroom team and the players, believe we can go there and put in a good performance which we hope will lead to a positive result.

“The results we have had on the road so far give us confidence and we’ll go there in good spirit.”

Long then concluded with praise for his players and his belief that they will get better as the season progresses.

“The players have to be admired for how they have taken ownership of their performances to date.

“We give them a structure to play in, but the players deserve a lot of credit for how they have conducted themselves and how they have performed so far this year.

“I keep reinforcing to the players that they can improve and the good thing is they’re not shying away from that. They know they can get better.”

On the injury front, Robbie Creevy will face a late fitness test after missing the Sligo game whereas on a lighter note, Dan Byrne returned to full training this week and is in contention.

Referee: Neil Doyle

MATCH STATS

In the three games, overall, in the league last season, the two sides couldn’t be split with both recording a win each with the other game ending in a draw.

Bohemians remain unbeaten away from home this league season so far. 

Derry are unbeaten in the league at home against Bohs since 2009. 

BETTING

Derry City 7/5; Draw 21/10; Bohemians 2/1

PREDICTION

Derry City 2-1 Bohemians 

Derry City

Injured: Stephen Dooley (Back) Shaun Kelly (Knee) Sean Patton (Knee) Aaron Barry (Calf) Seamus Sharkey (Concussion) Dean Jarvis (Hip) Shane McEleney (Hamstring) Phillip Lowry (Groin).

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

Bohemians 

Injured: None.

Doubtful: Robbie Creevy (Ankle).

Suspended: None.