Drogheda United (home)
- Drogheda United sit ninth in the Premier Division 2026 on 34 points from 33 games, while Derry City are in fifth on 41 points from 32.
- Drogheda's home record of 4-6-6 (W-D-L) in the Premier Division 2026 is not good enough to trust them at home at 3.3.
- Drogheda United have won three and lost two of their last five in all competitions and that includes a 2-1 defeat away to Bohemian FC Dublin in the Premier Division 2026, a 0-1 away friendly victory at Trabzonspor and a 3-1 away defeat to Shamrock Rovers FC in the Premier Division 2026.
Derry City (away)
- Derry are the in-form team with 3 wins and 2 draws in their last 5 matches in all competitions.
- Mark Connolly, who took charge in August 2026, has Derry City playing a possession-heavy, probing game that builds pressure through midfield.
- Derry City have been the steadier of the two in recent weeks, recording a 2-2 draw away to Waterford FC and a 1-0 home win over Galway United in the Premier Division 2026.
Head-to-Head
- Derry have not won on their last 2 visits to Drogheda.
- The difference in style could make for a chess game as the Drogs try to spring counters, while Derry will have more of the ball and territorial control.
Key Players
- Mark Doyle is the Drogs' main man with 9 goals in 30 Premier Division 2026 appearances, while Warren Davis has chipped in with two of their six goals in their last 5 games.
- Michael Duffy is Derry's danger man with 11 goals in 25 Premier Division 2026 matches, and he has bagged 6 of his 11 goals in the Candystripes' last 5 games.
- Kevin Doherty has had the reins since December 2021, and his side are pragmatic, flexible and dangerous in transition.
Betting Insights
- Derry City are the slight favorites here at 2.06, but we don't think they are a strong enough team to beat Drogheda United, who are priced at 3.3.
- The draw is available at 3.5 here, and that looks a smart play.
- Under 2.5 goals looks a strong play here at 1.95, as does Both Teams to Score at a hefty 1.67, but the bet that stands out is the X in the Match Result market.
- Derry have scored 18 goals in 16 away games and will have the cutting edge to do some damage on Friday, while Drogheda have conceded 21 goals in 16 home matches and that leaves them vulnerable to be nicked by Derry.
Prediction
- This game will be a test, but Derry City will have enough.
- The draw is available at 3.5 here, and that looks a smart play.
- Derry City are the slight favorites here at 2.06, but we don't think they are a strong enough team to beat Drogheda United, who are priced at 3.3.