LOI TV Commentator & host of Between the Stripes LOI Podcast, Kieran Burke looks ahead to Friday’s latest domestic football action.
DERRY CITY v GALWAY UNITED – Fri, 7.45, LOI TV
This is a fixture Derry City have struggled in so far this season but their return of just one point from a possible six should come as no surprise. The Candystripes have struggled massively for a couple of seasons now against teams who sit in deep and with Galway United boasting the best defensive record in the country, this will be another real slog for the home side.
Derry City dispatched Waterford with ease on Monday but just days earlier they barely laid a glove on, the then bottom side, Dundalk, as the sides played out a dour scoreless draw in Oriel Park.
Galway United didn’t play on Monday as their game with Shamrock Rovers was postponed due to international call ups on the Hoops side. With freshness on their side and extra preparation time, John Caulfield’s men are likely to be even tougher to break down than they already are.
The Tribesmen are just one of two sides to have handed Derry a home defeat this term with the Candystripes holding the best home record in the division presently. Galway United haven’t been slack on the road though with United third in the away form table, suffering just two defeats.
Friday’s game in Dundalk was a real example of Derry City’s shortcomings, they often dominate possession but struggle to create chances, they show an unwillingness to deviate from their stale gameplan when it’s clearly not working and often play with a lack of urgency. All of that will play into Galway’s hands if the Candystripes aren’t right up to their best.
Fears over a lack of firepower in regards to Galway have been alleviated slightly in recent weeks with the Westerners netting six goals in their last three games, that’s almost half of the entire season goals tally.
With just one defeat in their last ten matches, back Galway United to get something here.
BEST BET: Galway United Double Chance (17/20)
TREATY UNITED v BRAY WANDERERS – Fri, 7.45, LOI TV
Just when it looked like things were on the up Treaty United, the Limerick men were brought crashing back down to earth by Kerry FC on Monday. Tommy Barrett’s side snapped a winless streak of 14 matches with victory at home to fellow strugglers Longford on Friday so a trip to second from bottom Kerry on the Bank Holiday Monday should have been viewed as a great chance to follow up but any Treaty bounce soon fell flat on its face with a 2-1 defeat.
Having returned from a lengthy injury on Friday, star striker Enda Curran being sent off late on during Monday’s game in Tralee is a real sucker punch for manager Tommy Barrett, who is already contending with lots of injuries in what is already a weak squad.
Bray Wanderers are currently without a manager after Head Coach Ian Ryan departed the club recently but the Seagulls have shown no signs of lacking in direction with Wanderers winning twice and drawing once in the subsequent three matches since Ryan’s exit.
Unbeaten in their last four against Treaty, this is a good opportunity for Bray to put a run together.
BEST BET: Bray Wanderers (13/10)
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