On Friday night, Cork City host Derry City at Turners Cross in the Irish Premier League, as the visitors attempt to enhance their chances of European football for next season.
Cork’s hopes of a top-three finish this season have been all but ended by a poor recent run of form in the Irish top-flight. A record of one win in their last six league outings has left the home side 13 points outside the European spots and seven points behind the visitors.
One of the main factors in Cork’s relatively poor recent results is their struggle in front of goal this season, as only ninth-place UCD Dublin has scored fewer goals than the home side in the Irish Premier League.
However, the fact that Derry have the worst defensive record in the top half of the Premier League may give the home side some encouragement.
Another factor in Cork’s recent poor run of form has been their inability to win on home soil. In fact, John Cotter’s team has won just once in six outings at Turners Cross in the top-flight.
It's the Battle of the Cities in Turner's Cross this week, as we face @derrycityfc in the SSE Airtricity League! Kick-off is 7:45. #CCFC84🎟 Buy tickets here: https://t.co/6NWSUPtsb0 pic.twitter.com/kT7WlS7ksM— Cork City FC (@CorkCityFC) June 26, 2019
It's the Battle of the Cities in Turner's Cross this week, as we face @derrycityfc in the SSE Airtricity League! Kick-off is 7:45. #CCFC84🎟 Buy tickets here: https://t.co/6NWSUPtsb0 pic.twitter.com/kT7WlS7ksM
Derry are very much still in the mix for a European spot this season. The visitors are fourth place and six points behind third-place Bohemians.
However, City have a game in hand on the team occupying the last European spot. A victory for the visitors would certainly put pressure on third-place Bohemians.
Derry would have likely occupied a place in the top-three by now if it were not for a recent run of form in the league which has yielded just one win in their seven outings.
The visitors have been hard to beat on their travels of late in the Premier League. However, they have drawn four of their last five games, failing to pick up any victories.
Forebet predicts that Derry’s recent run of away draws will continue, with this clash finishing in a low-scoring draw.