League Preview: Drogheda United -v- Bohemians
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DROGHEDA UNITED
Drogheda United will be looking to end a long-running losing streak as they face Bohemians at United Park (Kick-off 7.45pm).
The Boynesiders are in the midst of an awful run of form with six defeats on the bounce in all competitions resulting in United dropping from 5th to 9th in the SSE Airticity League table.
Drogheda will be without stalwarts Alan McNally and Gavin Brennan through suspension while Stephen Maher and Michéal Schlingermann will also be unavailable due to injury.
United have not played in the league in a fortnight as a result of Dundalk’s participation in the Setanta Cup final and Drogheda manager Robbie Horgan has welcomed the enforced break.
“We haven’t played in almost two weeks but I think the break has benefitted the squad. When you’re on the run that we are on at the moment, a week away from football in terms of not having a game will hopefully do us good but the proof will be in the pudding.”
Horgan watched Bohemians’ scoreless draw with UCD last week and despite being impressed by the Gypsies, he remains confident that Drogheda will end their poor run of form sooner rather than later.
“In every game over the last six weeks or so we have been looking to go that one bit further and secure a positive result but football is so unpredictable. We know on our day that we are capable of beating anyone.”
BOHEMIANS
Despite an encouraging start to the season, Bohemians have found wins hard to come by as of late. A 0-0 draw against UCD, even though the Gypsies were down to ten men, was seen as dropped points by manager Owen Heary.
“We took the game to UCD, we didn’t sit back, and on another night Jason [Byrne] could have had two or three goals. We can build on that, knowing that we’re playing well, we’re doing things right. We need wins, and we go out for every game aiming to win. Friday’s game will be no different. If we can get a win it changes the table around, as there’s not much between the teams in the middle.”
Bohemians’ previous three encounters have ended in draws with their last victory coming away to bottom of the table Athlone Town at the start of April.
The Dubliners will be without Dinny Corcoran and Roberto Lopes for the trip to Drogheda as they both miss out as a result of suspension. Anto Murphy has returned to training for the Gypsies following a hamstring injury but may not be fit to start while Aidan Price is doubtful with a quad tear.
With several injury and suspension concerns, Heary may opt to start with a young centre-back partnership of Eoin Wearen and Dan Byrne while under-19 striker Jake Hyland is also pushing for a start upfront alongside Jason Byrne.
Referee: Robert Harvey
MATCH STATS
The two sides played out a 2-2 draw at Dalymount Park in March as an 89th minute equaliser from Gary O’Neill rescued a point for the away side.
Drogheda are on a run of six straight defeats in all competitions stretching back to a 2-0 defeat to Bray Wanderers on 11th of April.
Bohemians’ last victory in Drogheda was a 2-0 win in September of 2011 courtesy of goals from Glenn Cronin and Owen Heary.
BETTING
Drogheda United 6/4, Draw 11/5, Bohemians 17/10
PREDICTION
Drogheda United 2-1 Bohemians
Drogheda United
Injured: Michéal Schlingermann, Stephen Maher
Doubtful: None
Suspended: Alan McNally, Gavin Brennan
Bohemians
Injured: None
Doubtful: Aidan Price, Anto Murphy
Suspended: Dinny Corcoran, Roberto Lopes
