Cork City vs Derry City Predictions

After making a dreadful start to the season, Cork could move within four points of Derry with a home win this weekend. The hosts have had a poor campaign to date, while Derry are contenders for a European place after moving into the top four. However, the middle of the Irish Premier Division is packed quite tight, so there’s some way to go before the Candystripes can feel secure in the race for the Europa League. Can they boost their chances with three points in this weekend’s trip?

Cork are slowly making their way back from their poor start, but they are still winless in four matches. They head into this clash with an eye on Europe, as they are starting their Europa League campaign in July. That’s a chance for them to rescue what has been a dismal campaign to date, as they’ve won just six of their 21 league games. That hardly marks them out as a side to back this weekend, especially given that they’ve won only two of their nine matches at their own ground in the league.

Derry have a solid away record this term, as they come into this clash with just two defeats in 11 away trips. They’ve lost just one of their last six matches in the league, but they’ve also only won once in that time. Too many draws has been an issue for the Candystripes so far, despite them moving into the top four in the league. Will they pick up a much-needed win in this clash, or are they set to struggle at a ground where they haven’t won in six visits.

Cork have only lost once in their last five games, with that loss coming against champions Dundalk. That 2-0 loss was the only time in their last five home games that Cork have conceded more than once. They’ve got a decent record at the back at home, conceding just a goal per game at their own ground. However, their big issue comes up front, where they’ve scored just seven times in nine home matches.

Overall, Cork have seen under 2.5 goals in 89% of their home games, while they’ve seen less than three goals in 11 straight league games. Given that 60% of Derry’s Premier Division clashes have finished with fewer than three goals scored, we can’t see this being a high scoring affair. We’re going with under 2.5 goals as our tip for this clash.