League Preview: St. Patrick's Athletic -v- Drogheda United

ST PATRICK’S ATHLETIC

Liam Buckley’s side didn’t have the best start to their league campaign, losing two of their opening three league games but the ship has since steadied and they will approach Monday night’s game with Drogheda in a confident frame of mind.

Looking back there was some mitigation in the fact that both of their early season defeats came on the road against sides expected to be challenging for the title; Shamrock Rovers and Dundalk. Since then the Saints have gone unbeaten in five, winning three, with their latest result an important away win at Dalymount Park where they put away a Bohemians side that have started excellently under new manager Keith Long.

Scoring goals is not generally a problem for Pats. Their regular front three of Fagan, Forrester and Conan Byrne netted 49 league goals between them in 2014, but they have drawn three blanks in their eight league matches this term, all of them against prospective title rivals (Shamrock Rovers, Dundalk and Cork).

This time last year the terrible trio had notched eleven goals, while this year they have managed just four. But the addition of Ciaran Kilduff over the winter gives Buckley an extra option up front and it was his strike that earned the Saints three points against Bohs on Friday night, a hint of how important he can become for the Inchicore side.

It is at the back that Pats must improve if they are to regain the league crown that they last won in 2013, and their defensive displays at Richmond Park are particularly important. They conceded just seven goals at home in that title winning year, but shipped 21 last season when they finished third. And on that front they have already made significant progress.

After eight league matches last term they had conceded seven times in four home league outings. This year they have yet to concede at Richmond Park, in either league or cup, and Buckley will be optimistic that this record can be maintained with struggling Drogheda United and Sligo Rovers being the next two visitors to Emmett Road.

DROGHEDA UNITED

In contrast to their hosts this Monday evening, Drogheda United started the season well, winning both of their opening games. The key man for them was ex-Pats striker Daryl Kavanagh who offered a strong physical presence up front, hitting the net in both of those matches.

Kavanagh missed the next match, which the Drogs duly lost to newly promoted Galway United, but even his subsequent return has failed to halt a slide that has seen Johnny McDonnell’s men lose their last four on the spin and yield just a single point from the last 18 available.

And it is up front where the Louth side are suffering most. In their last six league games they have scored a paltry two goals, failing to breach the defences of Galway, Derry, Bohemians or Dundalk. But there is some comfort to be had in the fact that the margins have been tight.

Aside from a 3-0 defeat away to Derry City, Drogheda’s other four defeats in 2015 have all been by just a single goal and their performance levels, particularly in their narrow defeat to bitter rivals Dundalk, have garnered some praise. Three times the Drogs have been beaten 1-0 while a slender 2-1 defeat to challengers Cork City is hardly a disgrace. But the fact remains that if they continue to falter up front then conceding just one goal will be enough to leave them pointless.

Referee: Robert Harvey

MATCH STATS

Drogheda United have earned just one point from their last six league games; a 1-1 draw with Limerick FC.

St Pats have yet to concede a goal at Richmond Park in 2015.

St Pats have scored 21 goals in all competitions this season, while Drogheda have scored eight.

BETTING

St Pats 4/11; Draw 7/2; Drogheda 15/2.

PREDICTION

Home win, 2-0

St Patrick’s Ath

Injured: None.

Doubtful: Cyril Guedje, Christy Fagan.

Suspended: None.

Drogheda United

Injured: Neil Yadolahi.

Doubtful: Sean Thornton.

Suspended: None.