Cork City vs Derry City Prediction:

After 13 games just 13 points separate the top and bottom of the Irish Premier Division. Derry City are two points from the top despite sitting in fifth, with the Candystripes travelling to the South to face a Cork City side with just two wins on the board. The match kicks off at 19:45 this upcoming Friday night.

Key Stats:

• Cork have won 10 of their 12 points at home this season.
• Cork have the second lowest goal tally in the league, with 14 scored so far.
• No team has picked up more points than Derry City (16) in the last eight games.
• Cork have not beaten Derry in any of their last 13 fixtures.
• Derry City won this fixture 2-1 last month.

Cork City vs Derry City Previews, Form and Players to Watch:

Cork City Preview:

Newly promoted Cork City’s form has picked up in recent weeks, leaving them unbeaten in three games. They have won one, drawn two and lost one across their last four matches played. Just three points from safety, a win at the Turners Cross Stadium would be huge.

Predicted Line Up: Tein Troost, Darragh Crowley, Freddie Anderson, Charlie Lyons, Matthew Kiernan, Sean Murray, Rio Shipston, Evan McLaughlin, Cathal O’Sullivan, Kitt Nelson, Djenairo Daniels

Kitt Nelson’s two goals in his last three games have won his team four points on their own. The youngster on loan from Preston North End has four goals this season from attacking midfield and will be looking to add to that tally in this game.

Derry City Preview:

Derry have three wins and two losses in their last five matches, they have scored in eight of their last nine games and will be hoping to finish the weekend in first with a win at Cork and if results go their way.

Predicted Line Up: Brian Maher, Hayden Cann, Mark Connolly, Kevin Holt, Ronan Boyce, Shane Ferguson, Carl Winchester, Adam O’Reilly, Michael Duffy, Gavin Whyte, Liam Boyce

Liam Boyce has three goals in his last five games, including two in his alst two. The veteran striker signed from Hearts of Mitholdian in January after five years in Scotland and will be one to watch in this match.

Head-to-Head Stats - Cork City vs Derry City

In the last 66 meetings between these two sides, Cork have won 25, Derry have won 20 and there have been 21 draws. Derry have won 11 of the last 13 (2D) showing how the dominance has shifted in recent years. The clubs last five meetings are as follows:

• Derry City 2-1 Cork City, April 2025
• Cork City 0-1 Derry City, August 2024
• Cork City 0-1 Derry City, October 2023
• Derry City 2-0 Cork City, June 2023
• Cork City 1-3 Derry City, April 2023

Betting Tips for Cork City vs Derry City

Derry City should win this comfortably although Cork will show slight resilience. For this reason, our betting experts say Derry City to Win is the best value tip for this game. With odds at 8/11, a bet of £10 could see a potential return of up to £17.27.

(odds subject to change)

Final Prediction:

Cork City 1-3 Derry City