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

Drogheda United welcome St Patrick’s Athletic to United Park, with both teams needing a win to keep ahead of sides below them. Kick-off is 7.45pm.

DROGHEDA UNITED

Drogheda are eighth in the table at the moment but they will be wary as Derry City, who sit in the relegation play-off place, are only six points away from the Drogs. A win against St. Patrick's Athletic could also mean overleaping Galway United and Longford Town, both on twenty-two points, into sixth place. Last time out, Johnny McDonnell's side lost late on to local rivals Dundalk.

An 89^th minute deflected John Mountney free-kick off Darren Meenan saw Drogheda United come away with nothing from their derby match, with Lee Duffy scoring his side’s goal in the 2-1 defeat – his fifth goal of the season. The result ended the Drogs’ four game unbeaten run which saw them pick up ten points and push up towards mid-table.

McDonnell spoke to droghedaunited.ie on the Dundalk game and said, “I thought we were brilliant on the night but that is the standard that we have to set.” On his former club Pat's, the Drogheda manager said, “We need to get in amongst them and stop their passing game. I think the first goal tomorrow could be vital.”

Drogheda will be without top goalscorer Duffy, who is suspended due to accumulating too many yellow cards. Midfielder Shane Dunne also misses out through suspension. Recent signing James Daly and goalkeeper Dylan Connolly are long term absentees while Fionn Reilly and Lloyd Buckley sit out due to injury.

ST PATRICK’S ATHLETIC

Pat's currently lie in fourth place in the table, a potential European spot, and are only three points behind third place Shamrock Rovers. However, they are also only three points above Bohemians, albeit with a game in hand, and a loss against Drogheda United could see Bohs profit. The Saints are in good form, though, and won against Longford Town in their last league game.

A Chris Forrester double and a James Chambers goal saw Pat's win 3-0 against Longford. It was their fourth league win on the spin and the fourth successive Premier Division game in which they put three goals past their opponents – dispatching Derry City (3-0), Bohemians (3-1) and Limerick (3-1) previously.

Saints’ manager Liam Buckley has returned his focus to domestic matters following his side's Europa League exit to Latvian outfit Skonto Riga. Speaking to stpatfc.com, Buckley said, “We travel to Drogheda now and will be looking to make sure we put in a performance,” before adding, “United Park is always a tough place to go to so we’re expecting no different on Friday.”

Defender Sean Hoare is still out for St Patrick’s Athletic while Christy Fagan will face a late fitness test before the match.

Referee: Robert Rogers

MATCH STATS

St Pat's and Drogheda have only faced each other once in the league this season, drawing 2-2 in Inchicore. Lloyd Buckley had opened the scoring before Ciarán Kilduff and Conan Byrne gave the Saints the advantage. Lee Duffy secured a point for the Drogs in the dying minutes.

Drogheda United have had six sending-offs this season, five straight reds and one double yellow. St Patrick’s Athletic have had five sending-offs but only one was a straight red with the other four being double yellows.

The Saints have scored twelve goals in eight away games this season, with seven of those coming in two of their last three trips – victories over Galway United (4-1) and Derry City (3-0) were sandwiched between a 1-0 defeat to Bray Wanderers.

BETTING

Drogheda United 6/1; Draw 16/5; St Patrick’s Athletic 4/9.

PREDICTION

Drogheda United 2-2 St Patrick’s Athletic.

Drogheda United

Injured: James Daly, Dylan Connolly, Fionn Reilly, Lloyd Buckley.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: Lee Duffy, Shane Dunne.

St Patrick’s Athletic

Injured: Sean Hoare.

Doubtful: Christy Fagan.

Suspended: None.