Longford Town -v- Drogheda United

LONGFORD TOWN

Promotion chasing Longford Town can put their league strife aside as they attempt a giant killing in the FAI Cup on Saturday night.

Tony Cousins Town side looked set, at one point, to cruise back to the Premier Division, however a huge downturn in form has seen them slip back to second, six points behind Athlone Town.

A 4-0 win last weekend over Salthill Devon has kicked a small bit of life back into Longford, but the cup could be more of a hindrance to a team who could struggled to overtake an imperious Athlone Town.

There is an extra incentive for Longford, they were on the wrong end of a 6-0 thumping when they travelled to Drogheda earlier in the season for an EA Sports Cup game.

However, Tony Cousins has a bit of a selection nightmare with five players guaranteed to miss out through injury and suspension while Corie Tracey is a doubt.

DROGHEDA UNITED     

The Boynesiders are on an unbeaten run of eight games in domestic competition, with three wins in their last three games.

Their 2-0 win in Derry on Friday put their aspirations of a mid-table finish firmly back on track, but it’s a cup win which Cooke craves as he admits that it’s the only way his side will get back into Europe.

Having tasted European football this season a lot of the players will have the hunger to get back to the big time.

Since the draw was made, Mick Cooke has made sure to do his homework and has been to watch Longford on numerous occasions, his most recent visit to the City Calling Stadium was to see Longford beat Salthill Devon 4-0.

“There are no easy games in the cup and certainly Longford, coming off the back of that win on Saturday will want to beat us, we would be a good scalp for them as would any Premier Division team for a First Division side and as I have said, if we are not fully focused we could be in trouble.

“The lads are full of confidence, the win against Derry on Friday was a great result, it was a very much deserved result. We put together a comprehensive performance and got what we deserved, but the lads are now focused on Saturday's test. Longford are still well in contention for promotion, they still have to play Athlone and no doubt they will want to make the quarter-finals, just as much as we do,” added the Drogheda manager 

Referee: Kevin O’Regan

MATCH STATS

Drogheda have kept three clean sheets in their last five games.

Longford have only won once in their last six games.

Ryan Brennan has scored two penalties in his last two games for Drogheda.

BETTING

Longford Town 7/2, Draw 13/5, Drogheda United 8/11

PREDICTION

A comfortable 3-0 win for Droghed.

Longford Town

Injured: Willie Tyrell, William McDonagh, Keith Gillespie, Glen O’Connor.
Doubtful: Corie Tracey.
Suspended: Noel Haverty.

Drogheda United

Injured: Graham Rusk.
Doubtful: Gary O’Neill.
Suspended: None.