In a match that could have ramifications in the title race and relegation battle in the League of Ireland, Derry City are set to host Bohemians at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium on Friday.
The home team are in third place with 50 points after playing 31 of 36 league matches and are four points from first-placed Shelbourne but have two games in hand, while the away side are third last in eighth place with 36 points.
Match preview
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Derry City won 2-0 last time out against Friday's opponents on October 4 in the semi-final of the FAI Cup, and they will face Drogheda United in the final on November 10.
Interestingly, the hosts lost 2-1 against Drogheda United in their last league match on September 27, a game in which the Candystripes had 69% possession but created just one big chance in comparison to Drogheda's three.
Manager Ruaidhri Higgins said that he was angry after his side's defeat given he believes they are ready to win trophies and make good on the talent in the squad.
If Higgins was to win the title this term, he would become the first manager to win the top flight since Felix Healy in the 1996-97 season.
Derry's form in their last five games is mixed given the club have won two, drawn one and lost two in that period, with the team also losing three, drawing three and winning just one of their last seven league matches.
The Candystripes boast an impressive home record considering they have won eight and drawn four of their 12 most recent fixtures at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium.
Meanwhile, the visitors have had a contrasting campaign so far and only have four points more than ninth-placed Drogheda United, who occupy the division's relegation playoff spot.
However, boss Alan Reynolds should still be confident that his side can stay in the division as his team have a game in hand on Drogheda and arguably have an easier schedule given Drogheda still have to play first-placed Shelbourne and second-placed Shamrock Rovers.
In their last match, Bohemians lost 2-0 against Derry City in the FAI Cup, and assistant Stephen O'Donnell admitted that the team exited the competition with a whimper, lamenting conceding what he described as cheap goals.
To Reynolds's credit, his team beat Dundalk 2-0 in their most recent league match on September 27 thanks to a goal from Dawson Devoy in the 58th minute and an own goal from John Mountney in the 84th minute.
Bohs have won two, lost two and drawn one of their five most recent league fixtures, though prior to this they drew six and lost four of their previous 10 top-flight games and have won one, lost one and drawn four of their last six away league matches.
Team News
Derry will be without midfielder Cameron Dummigan and winger Daniel Kelly for a few weeks due to muscle injuries.
The hosts could start a similar XI to the team that beat Bohemians last time out, so expect goalkeeper Brian Maher to start, while centre-back Mark Connolly may be partnered by Shane McEleney.
In midfield, William Patching is likely to feature alongside Sadou Diallo in a double pivot, and Adam O'Reilly could start in an advanced role behind striker Pat Hoban.
As for the visitors, defender Rob Cornwall has not featured since February as a result of a cruciate ligament injury and will play no part.
Elsewhere, midfielder Keith Buckley is out due to a medial ligament injury, while James McManus and Leigh Kavanagh could return in the next few weeks.
Goalkeeper Kacper Chorazka will almost certainly be given the nod between the posts, with Jevon Mills and Cian Byrne probable candidates to start as centre-backs.
James Clarke may come in for striker Alex Greive, while Dayle Rooney and Daniel Grant could start as wingers.
Derry City possible starting lineup:
Maher; Wisdom, Connolly, McEleney, Boyce; Patching, Diallo; McMullan, O'Reilly, Duffy; Hoban
Bohemians possible starting lineup:
Chorazka; Smith, Mills, Byrne, Flores; Tierney, Devoy, McDonnell; Rooney, Clarke, Grant
We say: Derry City 3-1 Bohemians
Given Friday's clash is a must-win match for Derry, who have a strong home record, it would be surprising if they failed to take all three points.
As for Bohemians, though they have won two of their last five matches in the league, they have struggled for consistency throughout the season, and it is difficult to see how they can achieve victory against their hosts.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Lewis Nolan
