Galway United make the trip up to the Brandywell on Friday night to take on Derry City.
Derry have had a massively disappointing start to the season, winning once from their opening four games and currently sitting 9th in the table, with just three points. Despite the same number of points on the board as Derry, Galway United will be the much happier side with their respective starts to the season. John Caulfield’s side have shared the points with Champions Shelbourne, an in form Drogheda side and Cork City on the opening night of the season at Turners Cross.
Team News
Ronan Boyce is still absent from the Derry City squad due to injury and Carl Winchester will be suspended following his red card against St Pats, despite Derry’s appeal.
In the last week Galway United have seen the return to fitness of Gary Buckley and Edward McCarthy. Conor McCormack is still absent due to injury.
Head to Head
In 2024 these sides met four times with Galway winning 2, Derry winning 1 and a scoreless draw in May last year.
Key Battles
Patrick Hickey has scored three times already this season and will likely cause Derry City problems. The right side of the Derry defence hasn’t looked convincing at all, Adam O’Riely played out of position against St Pats and it wasn’t hard to tell. The right sided centre back Mark Connolly has also been below bar and with the way Patrick Hickey has started the season, Connolly could be in for a long night.
Betting Odds
Derry City are significant favourites, priced at 19/20, Galway United are priced at 14/5 and a draw at 11/5.
When and Where to Watch
The game takes place on Friday the 7th of March at 7:45pm and can be watched live on LOITV.