Ireland Premier Division leaders Dundalk travel to Derry City on Friday night looking for their sixth straight clean sheet win.
The Lilywhites are eight points ahead of second-place Shamrock Rovers and could extend their lead to double digits with a victory and Rovers lose.
Twenty points separate Dundalk and Derry City in the Ireland Premier League table. The Candystripes have won nine times this term and improved on last term’s eighth place finish in the league.
Dundalk are on an eight-match winning streak in the Ireland Premier Division. The Lilywhites have been strong all season as they attempt to claim their second straight league title. Dundalk have recorded 44 goals while conceding a league low 11.
The Ireland Premier League doesn’t experience a lot of goals per game but Dundalk have been extremely miserly during the season. League matches average just 1.2 goals per game. Dundalk concede just 0.47 goals a game.
Dundalk are undefeated in their last nine matches against Derry City in all competitions. Six of those matches ended in victories for the Lilywhites. They have won four straight matches that have been played at Derry City’s Brandywell Stadium.
Five of the last nine games between Derry City and Dundalk have seen the latter keep clean sheets. Defensively Vinny Perth’s team has been solid and nearly impenetrable.
Dundalk forward Pat Hoban has tallied 11 goals which has accounted for 25% of their scoring. Michael Duffy has bagged a further seven goals for Dundalk.
Derry City players Junior Ogedi-Uzokwe and David Parkhouse have combined for 12 goals this term. The duo has registered 35% of Derry City’s scoring.
Although Dundalk have dominated the last nine matches between themselves and Derry City, their previous meeting this term finished in a four-goal thriller.
Hoban scored twice for Dundalk in a nine-minute time span. Dundalk’s defence managed to concede two goals in the final 22 minutes of the game. It was an uncharacteristic performance from such as solid unit.
Derry City’s Darren Cole scored just before Hoban was sent off for Dundalk. His dismissal eventually led to Eoghan Stokes equaliser from the penalty spot.
The teams did meet one other time this term and that fixture was played in March. Dundalk won 2-0 at Derry City thanks to Sean Murphy and Hoban scoring goals.
Just 2⃣ days until we're back in @SSEAirtricityLg action away to @derrycityfc 👊🎫 #DundalkFC fans can purchase their ticket online 👉 https://t.co/1CYcLDmAta pic.twitter.com/kKac07OMii— Dundalk FC (@DundalkFC) July 3, 2019
Just 2⃣ days until we're back in @SSEAirtricityLg action away to @derrycityfc 👊🎫 #DundalkFC fans can purchase their ticket online 👉 https://t.co/1CYcLDmAta pic.twitter.com/kKac07OMii
Friday night’s game will once again see Dundalk get the best of their rival at Brandywell Stadium. A clean sheet win with under 2.5 goals should be on tap for Dundalk as they strengthen their title charge.