On Monday afternoon, Cork City host Derry City at Turner’s Cross in the Irish Premier Division, as the home side look to maintain their title challenge.
Cork are currently second in the table, two points behind league leaders Dundalk who have played a game extra.
The home side head into this game in fine form having recorded four straight wins in the Irish top-flight. In fact, John Caulfield’s side has won nine of their last 11 league games.
Their recent good league form has been built on solid defensive performances, as they have kept clean sheets in four of their last five league games, conceding just once in the process.
The home side has been formidable on home soil in the league of late too, winning their last ten home games in the Irish Premier League. A key factor in that good run of form is an almost impenetrable defence, as Cork they have conceded just once in their last 11 home league games, racking up ten clean sheets in the process.
Derry are currently fourth in the table but are a massive 17 points behind the home side. However, the visitors are still within touching distance of the Europa League spots, just six points behind third-place Waterford with a game in-hand.
A record of just one win in their last seven games, including four defeats in their last five league outings, has seen contributed to the big gap between themselves and the league’s top two.
A leaky defence has cost the visitors dearly of late, as they have conceded two or more goals in four of their last five league outings.
The visitors have also won just one of their last five away games in the Irish Premier League while suffering three straight defeats.
Forebet predicts that Cork will continue their title push with a victory in a high scoring clash.