League Preview: Drogheda United - v - Waterford United

DROGHEDA UNITED

Drogheda United are 8/1 fourth favourites for the First Division title this season, and their aspiration will be to win the division to get back to the top tier as soon as possible.

The Boynesiders were relegated last season having lost 5-3 to Shamrock Rovers on the final day, meaning that they will operate in the second tier of Irish domestic football for the first time since 2003.

However, over the winter break they have appointed the experienced managerial duo of Pete Mahon and John Gill, with Mark Kinsella remaining in a coaching capacity.

The club have had to release many of their top players from last season, with Mick Daly and Michéal Schlingermann among those who have departed United Park.

However, Drogheda natives Séan Brennan and Séan Thornton remain with the club and they have also added some exciting young talent to their squad.

Former Bohemians u19 captain Aaron Molloy has joined and he in particular caught the eye of neutrals during the club’s pre-season programme.

The Boynesiders will be targeting an immediate return to the top flight. Albeit defensively they seem solid, they lack a goalscorer, something which the other promotion candidates seem to possess, that in itself could be a telling tale in the promotion race.

WATERFORD UNITED

Roddy Collins begins his first full season in charge of Waterford United, having taken over mid-way through last term, with the club cut adrift at the foot of the league table.

His side rallied towards to end of the season to avoid finishing in last place, but a seventh place finish still represented a disappointing year for the six times champions of Ireland.

The Blues haven’t appeared in the top flight since 2007 and Collins’ aim will be to restore this former Irish heavyweight to the top grade.

Building up to the game, Waterford United manager Roddy Collins said: “I think when you look at the squad that we've put together, individually they are very good players. The training in pre-season has been brilliant and Aaron O’Callaghan has been a breath of fresh air to the players. The players have bought into his ideas and they’ve been great.”

Pre-season results have not been overly positive, conceding seven goals to Cork City and eight goals against the champions Dundalk in Oriel Park.

"Results mean nothing in pre-season to me and it’s now all down to the opening game of the season against Drogheda United, which is going to be a massive game for us all. I know in my mind where I stand and who’ll be starting but things can change before Friday comes.”

Referee: Adriano Reale

MATCH STATS

The last competitive meeting between the sides came in October 2007. Shane Robinson scored a late equaliser for the Drogs’ that day as the game ended 1-1. The last meeting at the Louth venue was also in 2007, where Drogheda comfortably won 3-0, with Eamonn Zayed among their scorers.

Drogheda went on to win the title that year, while Waterford ended that campaign by infamously losing to Dundalk in the promotion/relegation play-off.

Waterford defender Roddy Collins jnr. was in line to join Drogheda twice in the past but neither move materialised. He even featured for them in a friendly match against the MK Dons in 2014.

BETTING

Drogheda United 4/6; Draw 13/5; Waterford United 7/2.

PREDICTION

Drogheda United 2-0 Waterford United

Drogheda United

Injuries: None

Doubtful: None

Suspensions: Sean Thornton & Stephen Dunne

Waterford United

Injuries: Roddy Collins jnr. (illness)

Doubtful: Jimmy Dermody (hamstring)

Suspensions: None