Galway United host Derry City in the League of Ireland Premier Division on Friday, with both sides looking to pull clear of the relegation zone.
The Tribesmen have gone off the boil following a bright start to the campaign and now find themselves stuck in seventh place, level on points with Drogheda United.
United’s home form - once a major strength - has dropped off alarmingly, and they enter Friday’s match needing a statement performance to steady the ship.
The Candystripes, meanwhile, finally halted their seven-game winless streak at Bohemians last week.
But the team with the biggest budget in the league remain sixth, 15 points off leaders Shamrock Rovers, after winning only five of 21 Premier Division matches.
Galway United v Derry City Tips Summary
Best Bet - Derry City to win @ 5/4
Alternative Bet - Both teams to score - Yes @ 4/5
Bet Builder - Double Chance: Derry City or Draw, Over 2 goals & Most corners - Galway United @ 11/2
Galway United v Derry City Prediction
Best Bet: Derry City to win @ 5/4
Galway finished eighth last season and, for a while earlier this season, it looked like they may be destined to challenge for Europe this term.
But the run of three wins in four they strung together over Easter has long since been forgotten as their form has faded, and their performances at Eamonn Deacy Park are now becoming a concern.
Three successive home defeats to Shamrock Rovers, Bohemians and Dundalk, during which they have conceded eight goals, have set alarm bells ringing.
John Caulfield's side registered only two shots on target in their latest home setback and conceded the winner deep in stoppage time.
Derry desperately needed a win in their last game and pulled out a superb second-half display to down the then second-placed Bohs at home.
That has briefly eased the pressure on Tiernan Lynch, but the Candystripes' head coach knows his side must follow that result up with another three points.
Their midfield has begun to click again, and their defensive record - even amid a disappointing campaign - has stayed respectable.
The Candystripes’ superior squad depth should give them the edge in a tight contest.
Galway will make this physical and competitive, but Derry’s quality in the final third should prove decisive.
Alternative Bet: Both teams to score - Yes @ 4/5
Both teams tend to score when these sides meet, as there have been goals at each end in the last six contests.
Derry’s defensive record is the third-best in the division, but they have not kept an away clean sheet in six games now.
The Candystripes had only scored three away goals through their opening five trips this term, but six strikes in their subsequent five lend further encouragement to a BTTS bet here.
Meanwhile, both teams have scored in 10 of Galway United’s last 11 league matches.
Galway United v Derry City Bet Builder Tip
Double Chance: Derry City or Draw
Over 2 goals
Most corners - Galway United
Pays 11/2
Derry have avoided defeat in five of their last six against Galway, and given the hosts’ recent struggles, the Double Chance angle appeals for the visitors.
The Tribesmen have tended to trade goals in recent times, with nine of their last 15 featuring three goals or more. Neither team can afford to play for a draw here, so the game should open up.
Finally, take the hosts to edge the corner battle as they have registered on average one corner per game more than the Candystripes this season.
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Key Match Stats
Galway United have lost their last three home league games
Derry City have won on two of their last three visits to Eamonn Deacy Park
The last six head-to-head meetings have seen both sides score
Six of Galway’s last seven home games have gone over 2.5 goals
Both teams have scored in 10 of Galway United’s last 11 league matches.
Galway average 11.05 corners per game, Derry average 10.10.
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
