SM
Inter Milan vs. Como: 21 hrs 55 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
Collect News Data
League of Ireland Premier | Gameweek 24
Jul 17, 2022 at 6pm UK
Finn Park
DC

Finn Harps
1 - 2
Derry

Jones (31')
Nicholson (44'), Slevin (49'), Rainey (57'), Connolly (62'), Tourish (68'), Boyle (69'), Mihaljevic (90')
FT(HT: 1-0)
Graydon (80'), Akintunde (90+3')
McEleney (66')

Preview: Finn Harps vs. Derry City - prediction, team news, lineups

:Headline: Preview: Finn Harps vs. Derry City - prediction, team news, lineups:
Sports Mole previews Sunday's League of Ireland Premier clash between Finn Harps and Derry City, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Sports Mole

Derry City return to League of Ireland Premier action when they travel to face struggling Finn Harps in a Northwest derby at Finn Park on Sunday evening.

The visitors have seen their Europa Conference League campaign ended prematurely over the last couple of weeks, whilst the hosts continue to extend their winless run as they slide towards an inevitable relegation.


Match preview

After being downed by a 3-1 scoreline at Shelbourne last Friday, Finn Harps fell 13 points behind Drogheda United in safety.

Ollie Horgan's side did manage to pull themselves level through Ethan Boyle after falling behind early on at Tolka Park, but after conceding another goal at the end of each half, yet another disappointing defeat was suffered.

It is now just two points from the last 27 on offer during a nine-game winless run for Sunday's hosts, which has seen them fail to show signs of life in their quest to avoid the drop.

The only positive during a dreadful 2022 campaign so far has been the even worse showings on offer from University College Dublin, who prop up the table three points further back from Finn Harps.

As a result, it is looking likely that Horgan's men will have to do battle in a relegation playoff tie when the season concludes in November, but the boss knows all too well that should their form continue to suffer, it is only a matter of time until UCD pick up some points of their own in the fight against automatic relegation.

Meanwhile, Derry have been out of domestic action for over two weeks since securing a thrilling 3-2 victory at Bohemians back on July 1.

A two-legged Europa Conference League qualification tie has been the focus in the meantime, but any hopes of reaching the second edition of the competition were ended at the hands of Latvian side Riga FC.

A 2-0 defeat at home to their opponents in the first leg left very little hope heading into Thursday's trip to Eastern Europe, and a repeat of the same scoreline meant Ruaidhri Higgins' side exited the qualification stages in the first round.

Attentions must immediately return to the League of Ireland Premier, where Sunday's visitors will be hoping to strengthen their hold on a top-three finish in the 2022 campaign.

A recent seven-game winless run between May and June has been ended by successive wins, leaving Derry five points clear of St Patrick's Athletic in fourth place at the time of writing.

Shamrock Rovers, who are 11 points clear of Higgins' men, look to have run away with the title, but Derry will be looking to secure another European qualification campaign for next year as they hope to finish the domestic season strongly.

Finn Harps League of Ireland Premier form:
  • L
  • D
  • L
  • D
  • L
  • L

Derry City League of Ireland Premier form:
  • L
  • L
  • D
  • D
  • W
  • W

Derry City form (all competitions):
  • D
  • D
  • W
  • W
  • L
  • L


Team News

The hosts are without versatile defender David Webster once again on Sunday, whilst Horgan could well be without three further players as well.

Dylan Duncan, Filip Mihaljevic and Eric McWoods are doubts to feature due to injury, and although the former has been used sparingly, the latter are Finn Harps' joint-top goalscorers this season, with three goals apiece.

As for the visitors, Sadou Diallo is expected to be part of the squad just two days after joining the club on an 18-month deal from Forest Green Rovers.

The Manchester City academy product is unlikely to start in Ballybofey, but the midfielder should be available to make an impact from the substitutes bench.

Michael Duffy returned from a long spell out with injury in midweek, but the midfielder is also expected to have to settle for a place on the bench as he continues to regain match fitness.

Finn Harps possible starting lineup:
Mulreany; Boyle, Slevin, Tourish, Carrillo, Donelon; Connolly, Rainey, McNamee; Jones, Mahdy

Derry City possible starting lineup:
Maher; Dummigan, Toal, S. McEleney, Lafferty; P. McEleney, Thomson, Patching; Akintunde, McGonigle, Kavanagh


We say: Finn Harps 1-2 Derry City

Although Derry should comfortably win this derby on paper based on this season's successes, a tiring trip back home on Friday is likely to leave them a little short of fitness on Sunday.

The hosts will surely look to capitalise on their advantage in energy levels, but we are still predicting the visitors to edge out their rivals and strengthen their hold on a top-three spot.


For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.


Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting an away win in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Away Win:data


body check tags ::

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


amp_article__490154 : Collect and Make Data not in DataBase  : 
last updated article - 2024-06-05 13:03:45:
html db last update - 2024-06-05 13:03:45 :

ex - 7200 : read : write cache and make html
Read more!
Share this article now:


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!
Recommended Next on SM
Friday's League of Ireland predictions including Finn Harps vs. Shamrock Rovers
Game of the season: Leaders Liverpool tear Tottenham apart in nine-goal spectacular


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

history www

Rashford's future 'takes a fresh twist' as 'new favourite' for Man United star 'emerges'

1

RF

'Everton draw better than Brentford win': Maresca delighted with Toffees stalemate

2

'D

Following in Sinner's footsteps: Next Gen ATP Finals champion crowned!

NEW

3

FI

Two birds, one transfer: Spurs eye 'dual benefit' January deal for Dortmund star

NEW

4

TB

Game of the season: Leaders Liverpool tear Tottenham apart in nine-goal spectacular

5

GO

No Rush? The maths behind Salah's pursuit of Liverpool record

6

NR

How many records? Salah among history makers in Spurs-Liverpool thriller

7

HM

A favour from an enemy: Liverpool receive huge title boost as Everton hold Chelsea

8

AF

Old Trafford shocker: Man United suffer horrifying home loss to Bournemouth

9

OT

Christmas catastrophe: Man United break two unwanted records in Bournemouth loss

10

CC


. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .