League Preview: Galway United -v- Drogheda United

GALWAY UNITED

So far, Tommy Dunne's Galway United have made a slow start to life back in the top-flight of domestic Irish football, but they will be eager to right their path on Friday when they welcome Drogheda United to Eamonn Deacy Park (kick-off is at 7.45 pm).

With two defeats on the board, the Tribesmen have seen themselves fail to deal properly with offensive threats that have come their way, and if they are not careful they could get punished against Drogheda, particularly from set-pieces where they have been vulnerable.

Speaking ahead of the clash, Dunne discussed just how slim the margins between success and failure have been for them thus far – something that should act as motivation to eradicate the sloppiness that has crept into their play.

“As regards results, we've made a slow start, make no bones about it,” Dunne told www.galwayunitedfc.ie.

“I thought we deserved something against Derry City. We played reasonably well in the first half but second half we weren't up to speed at all,” he continued.

“When I looked back at the Bohemians game, I felt there was nothing in the game. Again, we failed to defend set pieces correctly and that cost us in the end,” Dunne concluded.

DROGHEDA UNITED

With two wins from two in the Premier Division, Drogheda United are in decent form right now.

Having already dispatched both Sligo Rovers and Bray Wanderers, the Drogs look decent value for a win away from home against Galway, despite losing against Shelbourne in the EA Sports Cup.

Nevertheless, it promises to be a feisty and closely-contested encounter, something that manager Johnny McDonnell is more than aware of.

“Galway could use our position in their team talk in terms of wanting to knock us off our perch and we need to be wary of that. I think if we perform to our capabilities, then we have a good chance of getting a positive result,” McDonnell said.

“They are a very functional side with some excellent players like Ryan Connolly and Sam Oji is a great addition for them. It’s pretty much the same side that Tommy Dunne had to work with last year so they will know each other’s game very well,” he added.

Referee: Graham Kelly

BETTING

Galway 11/8; Draw 9/4; Drogheda 19/10

MATCH STATS

Drogheda boss Johnny McDonnell has plenty of experience against Galway from last season, having managed Shelbourne. Indeed, it was he who watched from the dugouts as the men from the west won the all-important First Division play-off late in 2014.

Between them so far this season, both clubs have netted eight goals in all competitions, while there has only been one clean sheet, and it arrived against Bray Wanderers for the visitors, Drogs.

PREDICTION

This one will be a hard-fought encounter and should end in a score draw with plenty of chances.

Galway United

Injuries: Marc Ludden (knee), Ger Hanley (achilles), Cillian Kantwell (knee)

Doubtful: None

Suspensions: None

Drogheda United

Injuries: None

Doubtful: Sean Thornton (back), Daryl Kavanagh, Stephen Maher, Dylan Connolly (all flu)

Suspensions: None