20.00 8 Jun 2015 -
Referee: Ray Matthews
League Preview: Shamrock Rovers -v- Derry City
- Dave Donnelly
- Mon, Jun 08 2015
SHAMROCK ROVERS
Shamrock Rovers welcome Derry City to Tallaght Stadium (kick-off 8.00pm) for a match re-scheduled from July due to a clash with the Dubliners' Europa League commitments.
Pat Fenlon's side face into the second of three games in seven days on the back of a comprehensive 5-1 victory over Sligo Rovers in Tallaght on Friday, where the young strike partnership of Mikey Drennan and Brandon Miele each scored doubles.
Speaking to Extratime.ie after the victory over Sligo, Fenlon said: “We know Mikey is going to score goals. He had a little bit of a dry spell but we are delighted for him to get the two goals because it's important for strikers to be scoring goals.
“I’m sure Derry will be coming here looking to get something from the game, while making it difficult for us, so we have got to approach it in the right manner.”
The Hoops will again be without Danny North and Keith Fahey, who will see a specialist about an ongoing knee injury during the week, while Fenlon saw Sean O'Connor, Ryan Brennan and Max Blanchard withdraw through injury on Friday, however Pat Cregg returns from suspension.
DERRY CITY
A 3-0 reverse at home to St Patrick's Athletic on Friday will have done little to ease the pressure on Derry City manager Peter Hutton, whose side sit three points above the relegation play-off spot having failed to win in the league since April.
Derry did manage to frustrate Rovers on their previous meeting this season, but were second-best throughout the League Cup Quarter Final at the Brandywell last month.
"We have to remain positive and dust ourselves down from Friday's match," Hutton told BBC Northern Ireland.
"It's always difficult going to Tallaght - they are a formidable side, particularly at home. Rovers are similar to St Pat's in that they have a lot of experience in their squad and know how to manage games.”
Hutton will be enthused by the return to training of captain Ryan McBride – who hasn't played since limping off with a hamstring injury some weeks ago – but he is unlikely to be risked for this game.
Seanan Clucas returns from suspension as Mark Timlin serves the final match of his three-game ban, but Sean Houston has left the club after his contract was cancelled.
Referee: Ray Matthews.
MATCH STATS
Shamrock Rovers and Derry City met five times last season, with the Candystripes securing their place in the FAI Cup final on the back of a 2-0 win in the semi-final replay at the Brandywell.
Rovers had the best of the league head-to-head last year, winning home and away after the first game in Tallaght ended a goal apiece.
BETTING
Shamrock Rovers 2/5; Draw 10/3; Derry City 7/1.
PREDICTION
Shamrock Rovers 1 – 0 Derry City.
Shamrock Rovers
Injured: Maxime Blanchard (hamstring), Keith Fahey (knee), Danny North (knee), Sean O'Connor (achilles).
Doubtful: Ryan Brennan (knee).
Suspended: None.
Derry City
Injured: None.
Doubtful: Ryan McBride (hamstring).
Suspended: None.