Derry City v Cork City
Football: Republic of Ireland, Premier League
Sunday 26th July 2009 - KO 7pm.
Live on Setanta Ireland

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DERRY CITY (Home Rec : W5 D2 L3)

A few weeks ago Derry were hot on the heels of leaders Bohs but 3 defeats in a row has left the northern side 10 points adrift and back in fourth position in the table. They are 2 points behind their opponents Cork City who are in third. The 3 defeats were all by 1-0 scorelines but Derry also managed a good win in the Europa Cup as they knocked out Latvian side Skonto Riga 2-1 on aggregate.

Derry started the season well but also showed a lot of inconsistency and suffered disappointing home defeats to sides such as Sligo and Dundalk. However they soon started to find form. After beating Drogheda 3-0 in May, their next 8 games ended in 6 wins and only 1 defeat with 1 draw. This run included a fine 3-2 win over leaders and Champions Bohs. But they have stumbled in recent weeks but Boss Stephen Kenny insisted this week that they are still in the title race.

Derry will be without a few players for this one. Striker Tom Mcmanus misses out after picking up a knock on Thursday against Skonto Riga. They will also be without defenders Clive Delaney through suspension and Steven Gray and Mark Mcchrystal through injury. Striker Sam Morrow and talented former Cork City player Liam Kearney also misses out.

Derry City last 5 league games
Sligo 0-1 Derry
Derry 2-0 Bray
Dundalk 1-0 Derry
Derry 0-1 Drogheda
Bohs 1-0 Derry

CORK CITY (Away Rec : W6 D2 L2)

For most of the season Cork City have managed to put their financial woes aside and do the business on the pitch. However in the last few weeks Corks form on the pitch has matched their off field problems. Only 2 wins in 7 games for side in third spot has hit their title chase badly and now sit 8 points behind leaders Bohs.

However they did manage an encouraging 2-0 win over Ipswich in a friendly last week. Boss Paul Doolin is sure to have been relieved as the Boo boys had started to get at him over poor recent form. Their last league outing did end in a 3-0 win at Sligo. Indeed its their away form that has been most impressive this season. They are the leading scorers away from home in the league with 17 goals in 8 away games. They have only lost twice away this season and one of them was away to Derry in their meeting back in March.

Cork also sold former Sunderland and Celtic midfielder Colin Healy to Ipswich Town this week. Healy will be a massive loss as he has been their player of the season so far. They also sold leading scorer Dennis Beahan to Hartlepool as the club struggles to get the funds to ensure its survival.

City may also be without their midfield star Joe Gamble with a knee injury. Without Gamble and Healy Cork's midfield will certainly be much weakened. They will also be without suspended defenders Pat Sullivan and Gerg O Halloran.

Cork City last 5 league games
Cork City 0-0 Shamrock Rovers
Cork City 1-2 Dundalk
Galway 0-2 Cork City
Cork City 0-1 St Patricks
Sligo 0-3 Cork City

THE BETTING VERDICT

Both sides are missing players but I think Cork will suffer worse with their absentees.

I strongly fancy a DERRY CITY WIN. DERRY CITY are available at 13/10.

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

Take DERRY CITY to win