Derry City v Sligo Rovers Preview by JP Fahy.

Derry City v Sligo Rovers

J.P. Fahy Reporting:

The Northwest derby takes place for the last time this season (in the League, anyway) as Derry City welcome the champions to the Brandywell this evening at 7:45. Both sides are in the heart of a title race, sitting in 3^rd and 4^th places respectively at kick-off time.

Both sides had different fortunes last weekend, the Candystripes picked up a reputable 1-0 win at Limerick while the Bit o’Red were held to a scoreless draw by mid-table Shamrock Rovers. Derry have been beaten in two of their last three games while Sligo have failed to win in their last three, drawing two and losing one.

Declan Devine and Ian Baraclough both have their injury worries, Dermot McCaffrey, Thomas Crawley and Dean Jarvis are all long-term absentees for City and Ross Gaynor won’t feature for another month or so, either.

Even though Derry have dropped a lot of points recently, they haven’t beaten Sligo in ten league meetings and the Westerners need to keep that run going if they are to catch St Pat’s at the top of the table.

TEAM NEWS

Derry injuries: Dermot McCaffrey, Thomas Crawley, Dean Jarvis, Stewart Greacen

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

Sligo injuries: Ross Gaynor

Doubtful: Danny Ventre, Aaron Greene.

Suspended: None.

Referee: Anthony Buttimer (Cork).

Prediction: Derry City 1-1 Sligo Rovers

Betting: Derry City: 7/4

              Draw: 11/5

              Sligo Rovers: 6/4