Highflying Derry City take on Galway Utd at The Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium in what should be a fascinating Irish Premier Division fixture on Friday, 7 June.
Derry will be determined to keep pace with leaders Shelbourne by producing a victory over a stubborn Galway outfit. Previous encounters between the teams this term have been tight, though the Candystripes will be eager to harness home advantage on Friday evening.
Contents
- 1 Derry City vs Galway Utd prediction: Margins should be slim
- 2 Pre-game odds and win probability: Bookies backing Derry
- 3 Last five H2Hs: Galway have had the upper hand
- 4 Derry City preview: Whelan inching towards a return
- 5 Galway Utd preview: Visitors at close to full strength
- 6 Player to watch – Brendan Clarke
Derry City vs Galway Utd prediction: Margins should be slim
Key Stats
- Under 2.5 goals were scored in each of the two previous meetings between Derry and Galway this season.
- Galway have lost only one of their last seven away assignments in the division.
- The last two tussles between these outfits were all square at half-time.
- Galway have conceded only six goals in nine away games combined this term.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Bookies backing Derry
- HOME: 4/5 (1.80) – 55.6%
- DRAW: 12/5 (3.40) – 29.4%
- AWAY: 7/2 (4.50) – 22.2%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
You can peruse all of our latest predictions for this week’s other matches on our football betting tips page.
Last five H2Hs: Galway have had the upper hand
Galway United have already claimed four points from two meetings with Derry this season and they dug out a 1-0 victory when they last visited the Brandywell in March.
Republic of Ireland Premier Division 03/05/24
Galway United
Derry City
Republic of Ireland Premier Division 29/03/24
Derry City
Galway United
Republic of Ireland Premier Division 15/09/17
Galway United
Derry City
Republic of Ireland Premier Division 02/06/17
Derry City
Galway United
Republic of Ireland Premier Division 08/05/17
Galway United
Derry City
Derry City preview: Whelan inching towards a return
Derry City are set to be without the services of midfielder Jordan McEneff and Colm Whelan this week, though the latter had an outside chance of making the cut. Defender Sam Todd meanwhile, has a heel injury and will definitely miss out. City eased to a 3-0 win over Waterford in their last test.
Predicted lineup: Maher (GK), Dummigan, Connolly, S. McEleney, Doherty – O'Reilly, P. McEleney, McMullan, Patching, Duffy, Hoban
Republic of Ireland Premier Division 30/08/24
L
Galway United
1
Derry City
0
Republic of Ireland Premier Division 23/08/24
W
Waterford FC
0
Derry City
1
Republic of Ireland FAI Cup 16/08/24
W
Cork City
0
Derry City
1
Republic of Ireland Premier Division 09/08/24
D
Dundalk
1
Derry City
1
Republic of Ireland Premier Division 05/08/24
D
Shelbourne
0
Derry City
0
Galway Utd preview: Visitors at close to full strength
Colm Horgan is listed as Galway's only injury concern ahead of Friday's game and the defender is expected to sit out the club's test in the north with a knee complaint. Galway were beaten 2-1 by St. Patrick's Athletic last time out.
Predicted lineup: Clarke (GK), Esua, Slevin, Brouder, Kazeem, Nugent, McCormack, O'Sullivan, Hurley, McCarthy, Walsh
Republic of Ireland Premier Division 30/08/24
W
Derry City
0
Galway United
1
Republic of Ireland Premier Division 25/08/24
D
Shamrock Rovers
1
Galway United
1
Republic of Ireland FAI Cup 16/08/24
L
Shelbourne
1 (5)
Galway United
1 (3)
Republic of Ireland Premier Division 11/08/24
D
St Patricks
1
Galway United
1
Republic of Ireland Premier Division 02/08/24
W
Dundalk
0
Galway United
2
Player to watch – Brendan Clarke
38-year-old keeper Brendan Clarke has been a steady presence between the sticks for Galway this season and the veteran net minder has been an ever-present for United, starting all 18 Premier Division matches this term since the Tribesmens’ recent promotion.
Clarke will need to be at his best
To their credit, Galway have the best defensive record in the Premier Division so far this season having conceded only 11 goals in 18 games, and goalkeeper Clarke has played an integral role in the team’s success at the back.
Clarke has already kept two clean sheets in as many games against Derry in 2024 and the goalie’s reflexes could be tested by the title challengers again on Friday evening.
