Derry City travel to face Drogheda United on Friday aiming to extend their winning run to three matches. The Premier Division clash at Weavers Park kicks off at 19:45 local time.
The Candystripes arrive in strong form, having won their last two league outings. They currently sit fifth in the table with 41 points from 32 games. Their most recent victory was a 2-0 FAI Cup win away to Galway United last weekend, with Duffy scoring both goals. Duffy is the club's top scorer this season with 12 goals.
Derry City's recent results show a team gathering momentum. Their last five league matches have yielded four wins and a draw. Before the cup win over Galway, they secured a 1-0 home league win against the same opponent and a 2-2 draw away to Waterford.
Drogheda United, who are ninth, have had mixed results. They lost 3-1 away to Shamrock Rovers in their last league match but had recorded a friendly win over Trabzonspor prior to that. Their home form has been more solid, including a 2-0 victory over Sligo Rovers last month.
The recent meetings between these sides have been closely contested. Derry City won the last encounter 2-0 at home in June, but Drogheda claimed a 1-0 victory at Weavers Park in May. Their meeting in March ended in a 2-2 draw. This suggests another tight affair is likely on Friday.
Duffy, fresh from his double at Galway, will be a central threat. The last starting lineup featured players like Adam O'Reilly, who scored the winner in the previous league meeting with Galway, and captain McClean. Managerial decisions will focus on maintaining the defensive solidity that has seen the team concede just twice in the last five games.
Derry City face Drogheda United at Weavers Park on Friday 16 October, with kick-off at 19:45.
