Nine times champions returned to the Premier league for the first time in seven years. They have a new manager Sean Connor (ex Bohemians and Sligo Rovers) who before the league start released the majority of the team from last season, keeping just four of the of the First Division-winning squad. He brought some experienced players and it gives a result. Team performs well, but they still haven’t made a convincing distance from the relegation zone. Skipper Thomas Heary stated: “We're only five points off bottom, which is not a lot”. Currently, they have three competitive wins in a row. In last round defeated Cork City on the road 2-1. Dundalk scored twice in the first half (Chris Turner from the penalty-kick and Michael Daly) and in the second part with a player more on the pitch kept the lead. They also won tonight’s opponent as the visitors 1-0, clearly showing they don’t have problems with respecting the rivals. Manager Sean Connor has no injury concerns, or suspended players for this encounter. It is expected the new sign ups Mickey Collins and Alex Williams to make their debut.
Last season 3rd on the table, League Cup winners and FAI Cup finalist, Derry City play very good season so far. They’re just a point behind the superior Bohemians (previous distance was 27) and their title dreams are not so unreal. Derry is in excellent run of results. Six competitive games without a defeat. Four straight league wins and clean sheet in last six games! On the road they conceded only four goals from eight games (scored 14)! Only defeat on the road was against Cork City 0-1. But, despite the excellent shape, Derry will face a tough test at Oriel Park. The main reason is missing players. Stephen Gray, Clive Delaney and Gareth McGlynn will serve their suspensions, while Kevin Deery, Barry Molloy and Liam Kearney are injured. All those six players are keys and manager Stephen Kenny will have a difficult task to compensate the hole in defence and midfield line. With Bohemians who travel to bottom of the table Bray Wanderers, a result is even more important to Derry.
Home side already knows how to beat favorites. They’re fully motivated and focused to make a good display. Will be satisfied with a draw, but will try to use any chance for all three points. On the other hand, Derry will secure own goal first. Three points at Oriel have a big weight, but it will be hard reachable without six important players. So, I think Derry will not win. I go for double chance 1X and home win. Expekt offer 4.00 for Dundalk, I see it as more than acceptable.
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