📏 Form Guide

Derry City

WDWLLD ⚖

Derry City enter this game after a 0-0 Premier Division stalemate versus Shelbourne.

In that game, Derry City had 57% possession and 10 shots at goal with 2 on target. At the other end, Shelbourne got 3 attempts at goal with 1 of them on target.

In their past 6 fixtures, Ruaidhrí Higgins's Derry City have netted a combined total of 8 times, an average number of goals per match of 1.33.

Heading into this fixture, Derry City are unbeaten in the league by Dundalk in their previous 4 matches.

Dundalk

LLLDLD 📉

In their last fixture, Dundalk drew 0-0 in the Premier Division tie with Drogheda United.

In that match, Dundalk managed 58% possession and 6 shots at goal with 1 on target. For their opponents, Drogheda United had 9 attempts at goal with 2 on target.

A tendency of at least one team drawing a blank in games involving Dundalk has been evident in recent matches. Looking at their last 6 outings shows that it’s occurred 5 times. During those clashes, opposing sides have managed a goal aggregate of 10 while Dundalk have scored 1. Still, it remains to be seen if such a trend shall be sustained in this game or not.

A look at their previous results shows us that Dundalk:

• have not won against Derry City when having played them away from home in the previous 2 league games.
• are without a win away from home in their last 3 matches in the league.

🤜🤛 Head to head

A look at their past head-to-head clashes going back to 05/08/2022 shows us that Derry City have won 2 of them and Dundalk 1, with the tally of drawn matches standing at 3.

A total of 14 goals were yielded between them during those clashes, with 9 from The Candystripes and 5 belonging to The Lilywhites. The average goals per game has been 2.33.

The previous league clash between these clubs was Premier Division match day 29 on 01/09/2023 which finished with the scoreline of Dundalk 1-3 Derry City.

On that day, Dundalk had 72% possession and 18 shots on goal with 8 of them on target. The scorer was Patrick Hoban (96').

Derry City had 10 attempts at goal with 4 of them on target. Will Patching (42', 77') and Ben Doherty (47') scored.

The match was refereed by Damien McGraith.

🗞️ Team News: Derry City

Sadou Diallo (Knee injury) and Colm Whelan (Cruciate ligament injury) will be missing for Derry City gaffer Ruaidhrí Higgins.

We think that The Candystripes could opt for a 3-4-3 formation for the game, utilising Brian Maher, Shane McEleney, Mark Connolly, Ciarán Coll, Ronan Boyce, Adam O'Reilly, Will Patching, Cameron McJannett, Michael Duffy, Sean Patton and Paul McMullan.

ℹ️ Team News: Dundalk

Thanks to a completely injury-free squad to pick from, the Dundalk manager Stephen O'Donnell has no fitness concerns to report coming into this game. Archie Davies cannot play in this game through suspension.

It’s our belief that The Lilywhites will likely play in a 4-2-3-1 formation by sending out Ross Munro, Louie Annesley, Zak Johnson, Mayowa Animasahun, John Mountney, Scott High, Koen Oostenbrink, Ryan O'Kane, Robbie Benson, Sam Durrant and Jamie Gullan.

💭 Prediction

We’re of the opinion that Derry City can and should dominate possession and create several successful chances.

At the same time, Dundalk could well struggle to score a goal of their own - but, we do see them being dangerous at times, too.

We’re therefore anticipating a decent 3-1 win for Derry City at the end of the 90 minutes.

Our expert partners are tipping over 1.5 goals for this match. Check out their VIP predictions here.

Victor Martins, 18:04 05/04/2024