League Preview: Derry City -v- Dundalk

DERRY CITY

Derry City will be looking to secure a major scalp on Tuesday evening when they welcome Dundalk to the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium (kick-off is at 7.45pm).

The Candystripes come into the game following two improved home performances at home to Shamrock Rovers and Drogheda United.

However, both games only yielded one point – but their manager Declan Devine is confident his side can push on.

“I believe we’re steadily getting better and thought there were signs of improvement again on Friday night,” he told his club’s media team.

“Once again, we gave ourselves a mountain to climb by conceding the first goal but after that, the application was really good.

“The vast majority of matches in the league so far are being won by very small margins which tells you it could be a really tight season. Games are flying at us at the minute but that’s fine by us.”

“I keep saying it, but the fact is that there’s a real positivity in the squad.

“They trained this weekend and that buzz to get playing the next game is fantastic to see.”

DUNDALK

Managerless Dundalk visit Derry City on Tuesday evening following the departures of Shane Keegan and Filippo Giovagnoli were confirmed on Monday.

Keegan and Giovagnoli were relieved of their duties after a slow start to the season – and they will be managed by Academy manager Stephen McDonnell and Director of Football Jim Magilton on Tuesday night.

“A lot has happened over the past few days but now it’s a matter of refocussing the players and in fairness to them, they already have an understanding of what we are looking for,” McDonnell told his club’s media team.

‘The session today was good; it was loud and there was plenty of energy which was a good thing to see. We’ve planted seeds about how we want them to go about things and that’s important.

“Declan was here for our game with St Patrick’s Athletic on Saturday, and I think he would have seen us really put it up to them in the last 20 minutes.

“We heavily outweighed Pat’s in terms of goalscoring opportunities and we’ll be prepared for the game.

“It’s always tough up in Derry and they have a lot of local lads involved who are passionate and proud to play for Derry but we’re confident of getting a result.”

Referee: Rob Hennessy.

MATCH STATS

Dundalk are unbeaten in their previous eight games against Derry City – with their last defeat against the Candystripes coming in March 2017.

The Candystripes are winless in their last eight competitive games – while Dundalk are in their last five.

BETTING

Derry City 14/5; Draw 11/5; Dundalk 10/11.

PREDICTION

Derry City 1 - 1 Dundalk

Derry City

Injured: Marc Walsh.

Doubtful: Darren Cole.

Unavailable: Will Patching.

Suspended: None.

Dundalk

Injured: Brian Gartland, Daniel Kelly.

Doubtful: Sonni Nattestad.

Suspended: None.