League Preview: St Patrick's Athletic -v- Derry City

ST PATRICK’S ATHLETIC

The Saints got up and running this season when they travelled to Sligo on Friday night.

Goals from Ronan Hale and Chris Forrester ensured the Dublin side picked up their first win of the season after losing their opener to Waterford on Valentine’s Day.

Derry City make the visit to Richmond Park on Monday night (kick-off 7.45pm) and manager Stephen O’Donnell is conscious of the tough test that awaits his side.

“I though we played well on Friday against Sligo and deservedly won,” he told the club’s media team.

“I was happy with the players and they really appreciated the fantastic support on the night from the fans.”

“We have Derry on Monday which will be another tough match in the middle of a busy run of games so we will try to recover quickly and prepare well.”

The home side will almost have a full squad to choose from on Monday night, apart from the suspended Ollie Younger after the on-loan Burnley defender was sent off against Sligo Rovers.

DERRY CITY

After an opening day loss to Dundalk and a draw at home to Finn Harps on Friday night, Derry City travel to Inchicore on Monday night searching for their first win of the season.



Having gifted Harps their goal in the first half, City kept at their rivals and on the stroke of full time just managed to nab an equalizer through Adam Liddle.

The Saints had the edge last season winning two and drawing one out of the four meetings between the sides, although Derry had a good win in Richmond Park back in April.

"Conditions were horrendous, especially in the second half on Friday night, making it really difficult to play with any tempo,” manager Declan Devine said, speaking to the club’s media team.

“We've looked at the game, taken the positives and moved on- there's certainly no panic

"We have very good players at this club and there will be competition for places all season long.

“The lads who came off the bench at the weekend did really well and while we have no injury concerns, given the quick turnaround I would expect changes against St Pats.



“Stephen has come in and is stamping his own authority there. We know they'll be a tough nut to crack but we can only focus on ourselves.

"We totally believe in this group of players so we will go there with the utmost respect for St Pats but with our sights set on three points as we do in every game."

Referee: Damien MacGraith

 

MATCH STATS

Derry visited Richmond Park twice in 2019 winning 3-1 in April and losing 1-0 in May.

The Saints were notorious for their goal scoring woes last season, nabbing just 29 goals in 36 league games. They scored 6 of those goals against Derry last year which works out at just over 20% of their Premier Division goals for the season.

The Dublin side have the slightly better form coming into Monday night’s game.

Both sides suffered an opening day to defeat (Derry to Dundalk, and St Pat’s to Waterford), the Candystripes managed to salvage a point right at the death against Harps on Friday night while the Saints were 2-0 winners over Sligo Rovers in the Showgrounds.

BETTING

St Patrick’s Athletic 5/4; Draw 15/8; Derry City 23/10.

PREDICTION

St Patrick’s Athletic 1 - 1 Derry City

 

 

St Patrick’s Athletic

Injured: None.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: Ollie Younger.

 

Derry City

Injured: None.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.