Derry City v Cork

Derry City vs Cork City Preview

Second-placed Derry City will be desperate to return to winning ways in the Irish Premier Division when they play host to strugglers, Cork City, at their Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium on Friday night following some recent disappointing results for the hosts.

Two draws and two defeats have seen Derry City lose ground on the league leaders, Shamrock Rovers, with a six-point gap now developing between themselves and Shamrock, while the chasing teams such as St Patrick's Athletic, Bohemians and Dundalk are all within striking distance now.

Although Derry City picked up points in draws with Shelbourne and Bohemians, losses away from home at Sligo Rovers and St Patrick's Athletic suggest this upcoming fixture with lowly Cork City is a ‘must win' game for the hosts.

However, Derry City do bring a four-match unbeaten run on home soil into this upcoming encounter which includes comprehensive wins against Dundalk 3-1 and a 4-1 thumping of UCD.

Cork City's recent resurgence in the Irish top flight was brought to a sudden halt by way of a 2-1 defeat at home to Dundalk which ended a promising and impressive four-match winning streak that has helped the visitors keep in touch with the teams above them towards the bottom of the division.

Victories over Sligo Rovers, Shamrock Rovers, Drogheda United and Bohemians have at least created a significant 15-point margin between themselves and the bottom of the league outfit, UCD, but results away from home have been disastrous to say the least where Cork City have been concerned as they have managed to pick up just one win on the road throughout the whole of this campaign to date.

That rare success came in the shape of a 1-0 win at Drogheda United but Cork City had slipped to six defeats within their preceding eight away games beforehand and this upcoming trip to face Derry City looks to be another tough outing for Liam Buckley's side.

Goals have also featured on a fairly regular basis when Cork City are on their travels and indeed this season, six of their nine outings on the road have produced three goals or more and further goals could feature here on Friday night.

Derry City v Cork City Verdict

After some recent disappointing results, Derry City will be eager to take advantage of Cork City's poor results away from home here on Friday night as the hosts are also keenly aware that their position in the top three of the division is now a fragile one.

Cork City possess the second-worst defensive record away from home in the Premier Division and having managed to keep just one clean sheet in their last 14 outings, the prospect of goals look likely.

Therefore, our main bet will be Over 2.5 goals @ 2.15

Other side bets worth considering:

Draw @ 4.50

Correct score: 2-2 @ 29.00