We have a Drogheda United v Derry City prediction for you plus a breakdown of the betting odds, team news and matchups ahead of Sunday’s FAI Cup -Final.
Drogheda United have a defining week left in their season with an FAI Cup final on Sunday before they attempt to secure their place in next season's Premier Division the following weekend with a relegation play-off against Bray.
Derry City fell away in the 2024 Premier Division title race in the final few weeks of the season but eventually finished 4th. However, they do have the opportunity to win another FAI Cup Final in recent years after their success in 2022.
How To Watch Drogheda United v Derry City
When is Drogheda United v Derry City?
Drogheda United v Derry City will take place on Sunday at 3 pm
TV
RTÉ 2 will broadcast the big game between Drogheda United and Derry City.
Stream
You can stream this year’s FAI Cup Final on the RTÉ Player.
Where is Drogheda United v Derry City Being Played?
Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland.
Drogheda United v Derry City Odds
Team | Odds | Chance |
|---|---|---|
Drogheda United | 11/2 | 15.4% |
Derry City | 1/2 | 66.7% |
Draw | 11/4 | 26.7% |
Ahead of the game, Drogheda United are 11/2 outsiders to win their first FAI Cup Final since 2005.
Derry City are heavy favourites at odds of 1/2 to win their third FAI Cup since 2022.
The draw in normal time is 11/4.
*All odds quoted above are for the result after 90 minutes.
To Lift The Trophy Odds
Drogheda United @ 14/5
Derry City @ 2/9
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Handicap Betting
Drogheda United: + 1 @ 6/4
Derry City: -1 @ 6/4
Handicap Draw +1 @ 11/5
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Drogheda United v Derry City Preview
Drogheda United’s Form
Drogheda have a defining week left in their season with an FAI Cup final on Sunday before they attempt to secure their place in next season's Premier Division the following weekend with a relegation play-off against Bray. Their last FAI Cup Final was their thrilling 3-2 loss to Sligo Rovers in 2013 and their last success came in 2005 when they beat Cork City 2-0. Their run to the FAI Cup final has been as follows::
Second Round – Drogheda 2-1 Dundalk
Third Round – Drogheda 9-0 Wilton United
Quarter Final – Athlone Town 1-4 Drogheda
Semi Final – Drogheda 3-2 Wexford
Drogheda have ridden their luck at times throughout the competition and have also benefited from the luck of the draw across most of the rounds. However, Kevin Doherty and his squad of players have beaten each team put in front of them and that’s all they could’ve done.
This Drogheda side have game-changers though and with Markey, DJT and Pierrot they’re fully capable of a shock win on Sunday.
Drogheda United’s Last Five Results
Drogheda 0-0 Dundalk | November 1st | Draw
Shelbourne 2-1 Drogheda | October 25th | Loss
Drogheda 0-1 Shamrock Rovers | October 18th | Loss
Waterford 0-0 Drogheda | October 11th | Draw
Drogheda 3-2 Wexford | October 6th | Win
2 Losses, 2 Draws and 1 Win
Derry City’s Form
Derry City have been serial bridesmaids in the Premier Division for the last two successive seasons which has seen many arguing that even if Ruadhri Higgins guides them to their second FAI Cup success since 2022 on Sunday, he should still be replaced in the off-season. Their run to the FAI Cup final has been as follows::
Second Round – Derry City 3-0 St Patrick’s Athletic
Third Round –Cork City 0-1 Derry City
Quarter Final – Derry City 2-0 Shelbourne
Semi Final – Bohemians 0-2 Derry City
While Derry underwhelmed in the Premier Division this season, they’ve been pretty consistent in the FAI Cup and have had the toughest run to the final after playing 3 Premier Division sides including the eventual champions Shelbourne and the eventual First Division Champions in Cork City.
There are game-changers in this Derry team too and with the likes of Duffy, Hoban and McEleney they’re still deserving of the status of favourites.
Derry City’s Last Five Results
Derry City 0-1 Shelbourne | November 1st | Loss
St Patrick’s Athletic 1-0 Derry City | October 25th | Loss
Dundalk 0-2 Derry City | October 18th | Win
Derry City 1-1 Sligo Rovers | October 14th | Draw
Derry City 1-1 Bohemians | October 11th | Draw
2 Draws, 2 Losses and 1 Win
Drogheda United v Derry City Weather Forecast
The temperature is expected to be 15 degrees with a 10% chance of rain forecasted.
Drogheda United v Derry City Predicted Lineups
Drogheda United’s Predicted Starting XI (5-2-1-2)
GK: Dennison
RWB: Ahui, RCB: Bolger, CB: Quinn, LCB: Keaney, LWB: Heeney
CM: Brennan, CM: Farrell
AM: Markey
CF: James-Taylor, CF: Pierrot
Derry City Predicted Starting XI (4-3-3)
GK: Maher
RB: Boyce, CB: McEleney, CB: Connolly, LB: Wisdom
DM: Diallo, CM: O’Reilly, CM: McEleney
RW: McMullan, CF: Hoban, LW: Duffy
Drogheda United v Derry City Head-To-Head Results & Stats
All-Time Head-To-Head Record
Drogheda United wins: 10
Derry City wins: 18
Draws: 15
Head-To-Head Last Five Results
Drogheda 2-1 Derry City | Premier Division | September 27th, 2024
Derry City 5-1 Drogheda United | Premier Division | June 28th, 2024
Drogheda 2-2 Derry City | Premier Division | April 12th, 2024
Derry City 2-1 Drogheda | Premier Division | February 16th, 2024
Drogheda 0-0 Derry City | Premier Division | October 6th, 2023
Key Players To Watch
Darragh Markey – Drogheda United
Magician Markey (27) has been a crucial component of the Drogheda United side since he signed from St Patrick’s Athletic in 2021 where he has scored 9 times and provided 22 assists from 134 appearances in all competitions and has appeared both out wide and centrally.
The statistics don’t tell the full story though, because when he’s on form he can run the show and there are few footballers with greater technical ability in the country. With murmuring that this could be his last season with the club, don’t rule out him providing the magic for a Drogheda winner on Sunday.
Patrick Hoban – Derry City
Following an off-season where Hoban’s future was speculated and touted toward clubs across Irish Football he finally signed for Derry City last January for an initial fee of €30,000.
He was signed as the difference maker in their attempt to win the Premier Division and while that didn’t work out, Hoban held up his side of the bargain being the club's top-scoring 15 goals and providing 3 assists across 36 games in all competitions though he is yet to score in his 4 games/216 minutes in this season’s FAI Cup.
Drogheda United v Derry City Prediction & Best Bet
Prediction: Drogheda United 1-0 Derry City
Drogheda have a free hit in this FAI Cup Final with little expecting them to beat Derry and that makes them a dangerous prospect.
Based on their consistency in this competition and the quality of their side Derry City are worthy favourites ahead of this game.
I can see this being a nervy affair on Sunday with a late Drogheda goal giving them a shock victory.
Best Bet: Drogheda United Win @ 11/2
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*Prices are subject to fluctuation.
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