League Preview: Derry City -v- Longford Town

DERRY CITY

Derry City will be looking to get back to winning ways on Friday evening as they welcome Longford Town to the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium (kick-off is at 5.45pm).

Derry saw off Longford last time on Foyleside in the EA Sports Cup, but it was Longford who won the last league meeting between the pair.

Goals from Dylan Grimes and Joe Gorman earned Town a deserved win although that Derry defeat was under a previous manager.

City lost their league game against Finn Harps – and Higgins is looking for a reaction.

“It’s always disappointing to lose, especially in the circumstances, but the players are ready to go again.

“There are three points on offer again on Friday night and we want to go and win them. It will be far from easy, we already know that, but if we can do that it lifts the whole place.

“Picking up 9 points out of 12 would be a great start and that has to be the target.”

In terms of team news, Ciaran Coll returns while Darren Cole and Marc Walsh face late fitness tests before kick-off.

LONGFORD TOWN

After almost producing a superb win over Dundalk on Monday, Longford Town take on Derry City on Friday night.

The game was Longford’s last game of their opening first round of games on their return to the Premier Division.

“We have just gone through the first round of games,” Longford forward Rob Manley told extratime.com after Monday’s draw at home to Dundalk.

“We’ve just got to learn from our mistakes; cut them out too. We need to keep working hard.

“Derry have their new manager come in and they’ve hit a bit of form.

“We have to treat it like the first game of the season again and go at the full tilt.”

In terms of team news, Callum Warfield, Aaron McNally are ruled out, while Conor Davis, Sam Verdon, Aaron Dobbs and Paddy Kirk are all doubts.

Referee: Robert Harvey.

MATCH STATS

Longford are winless since the opening day of the season – while Derry City have yet to win at the Ryan McBride Brandywell so far this year.  

BETTING

Derry City 10/11; Draw 11/5; Longford Town 14/5.

PREDICTION

Derry City 1 - 2 Longford Town

Derry City

Injured: None.

Doubtful: Darren Cole, Marc Walsh.

Suspended: None.

Longford Town

Injured: Callum Warfield, Aaron McNally.

Doubtful: Conor Davis, Sam Verdon, Aaron Dobbs, Paddy Kirk.

Suspended: None.