League Preview: Drogheda United - v - Limerick FC

DROGHEDA UNITED

Drogheda United will host the First Division leaders Limerick at United Park on Friday night (kick-off 7.45pm) in a crucial game for the County Louth side. Drogheda are currently sitting in second place in the SSE Airtricity First Division with eight points from five matches but already find themselves seven points adrift of early pace setters Limerick.

The Drogs enjoyed a comprehensive 4-0 win over Cabinteely FC in their previous game last Friday night and will need to replicate a similar on-field performance if they are to have any hope of eradicating the Super Blues 100% league record.

Drogheda boss Pete Mahon, was pleased with his side’s performance against Cabo but he is not getting complacent. Talking to his club’s website he said this week he felt his team’s win last week came from playing “very well on the night” and scoring goals “at very important stages of the game.

“It’s fantastic to score four goals in a game but it’s important to remember that Stephen McGuinness made two key saves at 2-0 which kept us in control.”

That meant the Boynesiders recorded their biggest win of the season to date and kept their first clean sheet but Mahon was quick to focus on what his side are capable of offensively.

“You start as you mean to go on and obviously we want to keep as many clean sheets as possible. It gives you confidence and creates stability in defence but there’s no denying we place more emphasis on our attacking play. We are a front foot team and that’s how I want us to play.”

Mahon also pointed out that his team have nothing to fear about tomorrow’s game and that he expects a tight encounter telling droghedaunited.ie, “Limerick have had a great start to the season but we won’t be intimidated whatsoever tomorrow night.

“We are the home team and the onus is on ourselves to go out and attack from the off. Limerick have obviously had things their own way this season but we’ll be looking to put them under pressure and it’ll be interesting to see how they react.”

Pete Mahon has a fully fit squad to choose from with captain Sean Thornton expected to be available to start after recovering from an ankle injury sustained against Athlone Town in March.

LIMERICK FC

The runaway league leaders Limerick will make the tough trip to the North East for Friday evening’s tantalising top of the table clash in the SSE Airtricity First Division.

Limerick magnificently dispatched Shelbourne 5-1 at the Market’s Field last Saturday evening in a five star swashbuckling display to forge a seven point gap above second place Drogheda United.

The Super Blues have looked invincible so far this season scoring goals for fun and another three points at the expensive of Drogheda on Friday night could see them create further daylight between themselves and the chasing pack.

Manager Martin Russell will not want his side to read too much into the hype surrounding their impressive start to the season and take the three points for granted.

The Super Blues boss knows that Drogheda have been impressive at home this season and could provide his side with their sternest test of the campaign to date.

The Shannonsiders will be at full strength for the trip to United Park with striker Garbhan Coughlan (calf) the only doubt for the away side.

Referee: John McLoughlin.

MATCH FACTS

There was little to separate Drogheda United and Limerick FC last season in the SSE Airtricity Premier Division with both sides recording a win each and a draw in their three meetings with Limerick thrashing the Drogs 4-1 at United Park the last time the two sides met in August 2015.

Drogheda United have had the better head to head record since 1998. In the 24 matches played the Drogs have come out on top with twelve wins to the Super Blues six, with six draws. Drogheda scored 35 goals to Limerick’s 23.

Drogheda have scored nine goals and conceded seven goals in their five league games so far. Limerick have scored twenty-five goals and conceded just five goals in five league matches but have only kept one clean sheet.

BETTING

Drogheda United 9/1; Draw 15/4; Limerick FC 2/7.

PREDICTION

Drogheda United 1-3 Limerick FC.

Drogheda United

Injured: None.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

Limerick FC

Injured: None.

Doubtful: Garbhan Coughlan (calf).

Suspended: None.