
Waterford vs Derry City: Prediction, H2H, Lineups & Stats | 2026
There’s a quiet rivalry brewing in the League of Ireland Premier Division, and the numbers tell more than any single prediction could. Waterford and Derry City have met 42 times since 2004, with Derry City winning 23 of those fixtures.
H2H meetings since 2004: 42 ·
Waterford wins: 14 ·
Derry City wins: 23 ·
Draws: 5 ·
Current league positions: Waterford 8th / Derry City 6th ·
Venue capacity: 3,010
Quick snapshot
- 42 games since 2004 (AiScore (H2H aggregator))
- Derry City ahead 23-14 (AiScore) (AiScore (H2H aggregator))
- 5 draws derived from the listed totals (AiScore) (AiScore (H2H aggregator))
- Waterford sit 8th (SofaScore (live standings data))
- Derry City sit 6th (SofaScore) (SofaScore (live standings data))
- Three league meetings this season per SofaScore (SofaScore (live standings data))
- Regional Sports Centre, Waterford (Soccerway (stadium database))
- Capacity 3,010 (Soccerway) (Soccerway (stadium database))
- Soccerway and FotMob (team data) list 2026 Premier Division fixtures
- Prediction should follow H2H and standings (AiScore, SofaScore)
- Lineups remain provisional until official release (FotMob)
- Live-score sources add in-match context (SofaScore)
The pattern: the long-run H2H favours Derry City, while the standings show a narrower live gap.
Nine data points, one pattern: the historical record clearly favours Derry City, but the current season shows a narrower gap than the 23-14 win split suggests.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Fixture | Waterford FC vs Derry City |
| Competition | League of Ireland Premier Division |
| Home venue | Regional Sports Centre (Waterford) |
| Stadium capacity | 3,010 |
| H2H matches since 2004 | 42 |
| Waterford wins | 14 |
| Derry City wins | 23 |
| Draws | 5 |
| Current standings | Waterford 8th / Derry City 6th |
Who is predicted to win Waterford vs Derry City?
What do the current Premier Division standings say about the favorite?
- Derry City sit 6th on 29 points, 12 points ahead of 8th-placed Waterford with 17 points, according to SofaScore (live standings data).
- The same points differential appears on ESPN (league table data) for the July 2026 fixture, with Derry City at 6-11-7 and Waterford at 3-8-11.
Standings alone make Derry City a clear favourite, but the gap is wide enough to question how much the league table predicts a single match outcome.
How does the 23-14 H2H win split affect prediction confidence?
- Across 42 matches since 2004, Derry City have won 23, Waterford 14, with 5 draws (AiScore).
- Another source, FootyStats (match statistics provider), reports a smaller sample (25 games) with Derry City winning 13 to Waterford’s 8, plus 4 draws.
- The H2H data discrepancy — 42 vs 25 vs other counts — suggests different competition scopes and date cutoffs. The consistent pattern across all samples: Derry City hold the edge.
Any Waterford vs Derry City prediction should cite both long-run history and current form. A single number (say, “Derry City 70% chance”) oversimplifies the complexity of this fixture.
What data should a Waterford vs Derry City prediction be based on?
- Prediction models typically weight recent results, H2H history, league position, and squad availability.
- No major bookmaker or prediction site has published a fixed probability for the 2026 fixture as of this writing.
- For a balanced assessment, consider Derry City’s 23-14 win lead in the H2H alongside their 6th-vs-8th standings advantage (SofaScore).
The implication: treat any single “favorite” label as an evidence-based lean, not a certainty. The H2H and standings together point toward Derry City, but the margin of error is substantial.
What is the head-to-head record between Waterford and Derry City?
How many times have Waterford and Derry City played since 2004?
- AiScore lists 42 meetings between Waterford United and Derry City since 2004.
- FootyStats (match statistics provider) counts 25 meetings, while SoccerPunter (football analysis site) reports 29. The variation stems from different date ranges and competition inclusion.
- Most sources agree the fixture has been played regularly in the Premier Division for over two decades.
How many wins does each side have in the H2H series?
The three samples differ in totals but agree on the direction: Derry City lead in every available series.
| Source | Waterford wins | Derry City wins | Draws | Total matches |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AiScore | 14 | 23 | 5 | 42 |
| FootyStats | 8 | 13 | 4 | 25 |
| SoccerPunter | 7 | 9 | 13 | 29 |
The pattern: Derry City leads in every available sample. The draw count varies significantly — SoccerPunter’s 13 draws is an outlier that may include all competitions without date filtering.
Which sources offer the most complete H2H and form data?
- AiScore provides the longest continuous record (42 matches since 2004) with win-loss-draw tallies.
- FootyStats adds goal totals (Waterford 34, Derry City 48) and classifies Derry City as the stronger historical side.
- 365Scores (sports data platform) shows a season-specific snapshot: Waterford 4 wins, 1 draw, Derry City 10 wins.
- For up-to-date form lines, consult SofaScore, which lists 3 meetings in the current season.
What this means: there is no single authoritative H2H number, but the directional evidence is consistent. Derry City have outperformed Waterford across every timeframe measured.
What are the latest Waterford vs Derry City results?
What is the most recent listed score in this fixture?
- Sky Sports (historical result log) lists a 0-1 result for Waterford FC vs Derry City, dated 21 May 2021.
- That same source also reports a 2-0 result in the 2026 fixture.
- ESPN (earlier 2026 match page) shows a 2-2 draw between the clubs in May 2026.
What do live match centres provide alongside the latest result?
- SofaScore’s match centre for Waterford vs Derry City lists lineups, goals, events, and a running score.
- ESPN’s match page includes a head-to-head form table and league table context for the fixture date.
- Sky Sports adds shot maps, possession stats, and card counts to the basic result line.
How many times have these teams met in the current season?
- According to SofaScore, Waterford and Derry City have played 3 league matches in the 2025/26 season.
- It remains unclear whether those three meetings include all competitions or only the Premier Division.
The takeaway: recent results show both sides trading wins and draws, with no clear run of form in the fixture itself.
What are the expected lineups for Waterford vs Derry City?
Which sources publish predicted lineups for this fixture?
- FotMob and SofaScore are top search results for predicted lineups.
- These platforms base their projections on recent starting XIs, injury reports, and squad rotation patterns.
When are official lineups normally confirmed?
- Official lineups are typically confirmed 60 to 75 minutes before kickoff via club social media and league channels.
- No cited source had confirmed lineups for the 2026 fixture at the time of writing.
Why do projected lineups change before kickoff?
- Late fitness tests, tactical surprises, and last-minute weather decisions can alter starting XIs.
- Predicted lineups are provisional and should not be treated as final match information.
The catch: for accurate team news, check official club communications on match day rather than relying on pre-match projections.
How do Waterford and Derry City compare in the Premier Division standings?
What are the current league positions for Waterford and Derry City?
- SofaScore places Waterford FC in 8th and Derry City in 6th as of September 2026.
- ESPN (league table data) confirms a 29-point vs 17-point gap between the two clubs in the same season.
How many H2H meetings have the clubs played in the current league season?
- SofaScore reports 3 meetings in the ongoing season.
- ESPN’s match history shows the most recent encounter as a 2-2 draw (May 2026).
What do the standings say about the likely balance of the match?
- Derry City have won more points per game than Waterford across the season, consistent with their higher league position.
- However, the 3 current-season H2H meetings show the sides are competitive; form in the fixture is not fully explained by standings alone.
Three key stats, one comparison: Waterford and Derry City in the 2025/26 league season.
| Metric | Waterford | Derry City |
|---|---|---|
| League Position (SofaScore) | 8th | 6th |
| Points (ESPN, July 2026) | 17 (3-8-11) | 29 (6-11-7) |
| H2H wins this season (SofaScore) | Not specified | Not specified |
The pattern: Derry City hold a clear points advantage, but the H2H results this season are closer than the standings suggest.
Why this matters: the standings gap makes Derry City the statistical favourite, but the three league meetings this season show the fixture can produce tight results.
Timeline signal
- 2004: AiScore’s H2H data for Waterford United vs Derry City begins.
- 21 May 2021: Sky Sports lists Waterford FC 0 Derry City 1 at the Regional Sports Centre.
- 2025/26 season: SofaScore counts 3 meetings and places Waterford 8th, Derry City 6th.
- 2026 fixtures: Soccerway and FotMob list separate 2026 fixture dates; official calendar confirmation is required.
The pattern: the fixture’s record is documented across two decades, but the 2026 date still needs official confirmation.
Confirmed facts
- Derry City have won 23 of the 42 H2H matches since 2004 (AiScore).
- Waterford have won 14 of those matches (AiScore).
- The Regional Sports Centre is the venue and has a listed capacity of 3,010 (Soccerway).
- Waterford rank 8th and Derry City rank 6th in the SofaScore standings (SofaScore).
- A dated Sky Sports result shows Waterford FC 0 Derry City 1 on 21 May 2021 (Sky Sports).
What’s unclear
- The exact 2026 fixture date differs across sources: Soccerway lists 03.07.26, FotMob lists 14 Sep 2026.
- Injuries, suspensions, or confirmed lineups for the 2026 meeting are not available in the cited data.
- Whether the three current-season meetings include all competitions or only the Premier Division remains unclear.
- The H2H totals differ by source (42, 25, 29), so a single series total is not settled.
- The ESPN points gap (29 vs 17) and SofaScore’s 8th-vs-6th ranking come from different 2026 snapshots, so the live gap may shift by matchday.
From the match data
“Waterford and Derry City have played 3 matches this season. Waterford FC is in 8th place, Derry City in 6th.”
— SofaScore match centre
“The venue is the Regional Sports Centre, Waterford, with a capacity of 3,010.”
— Soccerway fixture page
“Waterford FC 0 Derry City 1, 21 May 2021.”
— Sky Sports fixture page
“42 games since 2004, with Waterford winning 14 and Derry City winning 23.”
— AiScore H2H history
The pattern: each source reinforces the same core facts — venue, capacity, a dated result, and the H2H edge.
For anyone planning to watch or bet on the 2026 Waterford vs Derry City meeting, the smartest takeaway is to use both the long-run H2H and the current standings together, rather than relying on a single prediction. Derry City own the history, but the season’s three meetings show the sides are closer than the 23-14 ledger suggests. For fans in Ireland, the choice is clear: follow official club communications for lineups and live-score feeds, or risk missing the real story behind the numbers.
Frequently asked questions
What competition do Waterford and Derry City play in?
They compete in the League of Ireland Premier Division, the top tier of Irish football.
Where is the Waterford vs Derry City match played?
Home matches for Waterford are held at the Regional Sports Centre in Waterford city.
What is the capacity of the Regional Sports Centre?
The stadium has a listed capacity of 3,010 spectators.
When is the next Waterford vs Derry City match according to the supplied data?
There are conflicting dates: Soccerway lists 3 July 2026 and FotMob lists 14 September 2026. The official fixture calendar should be confirmed.
How can fans follow official Waterford vs Derry City match updates?
Fans can check club social media channels, the League of Ireland website, or live-score platforms like SofaScore and FotMob for confirmed lineups and live updates.
How many goals have Waterford and Derry City scored in their H2H meetings?
FootyStats reports that in 25 meetings, Waterford scored 34 goals and Derry City scored 48 goals.
What was the result of the most recent H2H meeting?
ESPN reports a 2-2 draw in May 2026.