Fourth will travel to second in the League of Ireland Premier Division on Monday evening, with the visitors Waterford United bidding to continue their strong run of form against the hosts Derry City.
Waterford have won five of their last six in the league to rise into fourth spot in the table, four points behind second-placed Derry with two games in hand.
Match preview
Derry have only won the League of Ireland Premier Division on two previous occasions, but they finished second in the table last season, seven points behind the champions Shamrock Rovers.
A record of eight wins, eight draws and four defeats from their 20 league matches this season has seen them collect 32 points to sit second in the division, five points behind the leaders Shelbourne.
Derry are the second-highest goalscorers in the division this season with 27, but they are winless in their last three, losing against Shamrock Rovers before drawing with Sligo Rovers and Dundalk.
Ruaidhri Higgins's side have only actually won two of their last seven league matches, but they have the best home record this term, picking up 20 points from their 10 games in front of their own fans, and their next two League of Ireland Premier Division fixtures are at home against Waterford and Galway United.
The Red and Whites will be bidding to move closer to the summit on Monday, but Waterford are currently the in-form team in the division, with the newly-promoted outfit rising up the table in recent weeks.
Waterford, who are six-time League of Ireland Premier Division champions, earned promotion from the second tier last year courtesy of their second-placed finish in the table.
The Blues have certainly performed above expectations this season, boasting a record of eight wins, four draws and six defeats from their 18 matches to collect 28 points, which has left them in fourth position.
Keith Long's side have two games in hand on each of the three teams above them, and they are only four points behind second-placed Derry.
Waterford have won five of their last six league matches, including victories in their last two against Drogheda United and Bohemians, with their only defeat during that run proving to be a 1-0 reverse to the leaders Shelbourne in the middle of last month.
The Blues suffered a 2-0 defeat to Derry when the two teams last locked horns at the end of April, with Waterford's last success in this fixture coming back in April 2021.
Team News
Derry will be without the services of three players through injury on Monday, with Sam Todd, Jordan McEneff and Colm Whelan unavailable for selection.
The team did not pick up any fresh issues in their goalless draw with Dundalk last time out, though, and it would not be a surprise to see the same XI take to the field here.
Patrick Hoban has found the back of the net on nine occasions in the League of Ireland Premier Division this season, and the 32-year-old is again set to lead the Derry line here.
As for Waterford, Harvey Macadam, Cameron Cresswell and Barry Baggley will miss the contest through injury, but the visitors have not reported any further fitness concerns.
Padraig Amond has scored eight times in 17 appearances this season and will again lead the line, while Christie Pattisson should also retain his spot in the final third of the field.
Ben McCormack has come up with two goals from central midfield this term and will also start, while Darragh Leahy is set to continue at left-back for the division's in-form outfit.
Derry City possible starting lineup:
Maher; Dummigan, Connolly, McEleney, Coll; O'Reilly, Diallo; McMullan, Patching, Duffy; Hoban
Waterford United possible starting lineup:
Sergeant; Power, Horton, Leahy, McCourt; McDonald, McMenamy, McCormack, Parsons; Pattisson, Amond
We say: Derry City 1-1 Waterford United
This is set to be a very intriguing match, as Derry are strong at home, but Waterford's recent form has been excellent. It would not be a surprise to see a home or indeed an away win here, but we believe that a tight match on Monday evening will end with the points being shared.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
body check tags ::
Previews by email
