League Preview: Derry City -v- Drogheda United

DERRY CITY

Derry City welcome Drogheda United to the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium on Friday night (kick-off is at 7.45pm).

The Candystripes are riding high at the moment towards the top of the Premier Division table with only Bohemians ahead of them so far.

And after a recent draw against Sligo Rovers, they recovered well with a 1-0 win away to Shelbourne last week.

But they face a Drogheda side who are impressing themselves.

“They’re in fifth place in the table at the minute and could easily have been higher,” Higgins said this week.

“I saw their game against Dundalk recently and I thought they played really well. It was one they could have won, never mind losing it.

“We only took three points from our last three league games against them in 2022- dropping those six points obviously lost us momentum and we want to guard against that as best we can now.”

DROGHEDA UNITED

Also enjoying an impressive start to the season is Drogheda United who have shone under Kevin Doherty.

The Drogs have picked up some impressive points so far, and backed up their strong start with a draw away to Cork City last week.

Cork took the lead on 17 minutes as Ruairi Keating continued his fine goalscoring run, heading home a free kick at the back post.

But Doherty’s side levelled five minutes before the break when Ally Gilchrist turned Darragh Markey’s ball into his own net.

In team news ahead of their game against Derry, defender Ben Curtis and forward Adam Foley continue to miss out through injury.

Conor Keeley is expected to be available.

Referee: Arnold Hunter.

PREDICTION

Derry City 2-0 Drogheda United

Derry City

Injured: Colm Whelan, Mark Connolly, Ciaron Harkin, Cameron Dummigan, Michael Duffy.

Doubtful: Adam O’Reilly.

Suspended: None.

Drogheda United

Injured: Ben Curtis, Adam Foley.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.