Derry City are trying to chase down Shamrock Rovers at the top of Ireland’s Premier Division. City go into the weekend four points behind Rovers and on a poor run of recent form.
Bohemian will visit Derry City for round No 21. The Bohs are fourth in the standings and just six points off Shamrock Rovers after 19 fixtures.
A win for either team will keep them in the title hunt. However, a loss could see them fall away from the championship picture.
Derry City are on a three-match winless run ahead of Friday’s fixture. City took just one point from their last three games, denting any hope of winning the title. Still, they are only four points behind Shamrock Rovers.
The Candystripes have not played well at home in Brandywell Stadium. Just 15 points were taken from 30 points on offer at home. Derry City are unbeaten in three straight home matches, however.
Bohemian won just one of their last six fixtures. They go into Friday’s match following a 2-1 loss at Cork City.
The Bohs do play well away from home and will fancy their chances of winning on Friday night.
The Dubliners took 17 points from 10 away fixtures, scoring 12 goals and conceding nine times. The Bohs are winless in four straight road fixtures. Taking points off Derry City away from home will be a difficult task.
Derry City played well against Bohemian in their last six encounters in all competitions. The Candystripes posted a record of 4W-1D-1L and outscored the Bohs 8-5.
Friday’s match at Brandywell Stadium will be the third of the season between the Irish rivals. Bohemian went to Brandywell earlier this season and won 1-0. A Dean Williams’ second-half penalty gave the Bohs the win.
The second meeting between the clubs at Bohemian’s Dalymount Park resulted in a 1-0 win for Derry City. Bohemian player Grant Horton was sent off in the 15th minute.
Two minutes later, Derry’s Ryan Graydon found the back of the net, and the Candystripes held on for the win.
Derry City have the league’s second-best defence. It has conceded 16 goals in 20 fixtures. However, City are coming off a loss to St Patrick’s Athletic in which they conceded four times.
Bohemian allowed just 18 goals in their 19 matches in the league.
With both teams playing strong defensive football this season, and two low-scoring head-to-head games completed already, Friday night’s match should end in a 1-1 draw. Neither team is in form and a draw is likely.