Derry City v Drogheda United, Ryan McBride Brandywell, 7,45pm, live on RTÉ2 and WATCHLOI
It is just four games into the new season but Derry City face a crunch game in their season this evening.
After losing all of their matches so far, with a degree of misfortune along the way, the Candystripes are rooted to the bottom of the league.
Declan Devine's side disappointed last year with an increased budget and the slow beginning to this year has added to his woes.
Last year Sligo Rovers had the same start as Derry and turned it into a European finish within 14 matches.
Tonight Derry need to begin their turnaround or further questions will be asked of their manager.
Drogheda have had a much more solid opening to the year. Last week's hammering of Longford Town showed they have the ability to do well this year and in Mark Doyle a goalscorer who is already finding the mark.
Team news
Derry City: No injury worries for Devine, with Darren Cole and Marc Walsh back in full training.
Drogheda United: Mark Hughes is out, while Darragh Markey and Conor Kane are doubtful.
What they said
Declan Devine (Derry City manager): "While I thought there were some brilliant individual performances from us on the night (against Rovers on Tuesday), everybody knows we need points and we need them quickly."
"We were in on Wednesday morning and we had a good look at the game. The boys haven't broken stride in training and they are raring to go again on Friday."
Kevin Doherty (Drogheda United assistant manager): "With it being the Brandywell, it's always a tough place to go, as cliché as it is, it certainly is.
"It’s a big pitch, they work really really hard, they’ve been unlucky in games. The Pats’ game for instance, they were right in it, had a great chance, Akintunde, to go one up and then had a man sent off. Which, with a team that dominates the ball like Pat's, was hard.
"It’s Derry City, they will be wanting to pick up points and will see tomorrow as a chance to get their season up and running points wise, but I think performance-wise they have been really really good."
Waterford FC v Bohemians, RSC, 5.45pm, live on WATCHLOI
Bohemians enjoyed a big win last week in Dundalk to finally get their season going. Defeats to Finn Harps and St Patrick's Athletic in need of the points.
The Gyspies showed great character to withstand some pressure in Oriel Park. They will see this game as an opportunity to build on that win.
Waterford were unfortunate to lose in injury-time against Finn Harps after picking up a first win the weekly previously.
Team news
Waterford: Cian Kavanagh misses out through injury while Oscar Brennan is suspended for this game following a red card at Derry last Saturday.
What they said
Ali Coote (Bohemians midfielder): "Everyone knows it wasn't the best start to the season so last Friday [against Dundalk] was massive for us," Coote told the Irish Sun. "Now the message is it can be a turning point to kick on from there, get going really."
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