League Preview: Drogheda United -v- Waterford United

DROGHEDA UNITED

After picking up two points from a possible nine, Drogheda United will look to return to the form they showed earlier in the season when they welcome Waterford United to United Park on Friday (kick-off 7.45pm).

The Boynesiders are the only team to have taken points from runaway leaders Limerick after a 2-2 draw in Markets Field but last week the Drogs lost to UCD and as a result slipped back to third in the SSE Airtricity First Division table.

Talking to droghedaunited.ie, manager Pete Mahon expressed disappointment at not taking something from the clash with the Students.

“I was much more disappointed to lose the game than the end of any run. I thought we played very well for the majority of the game and some of the moves we put together first-half could’ve been the best football we’ve played all year.

“We were rocked a little by the equaliser and then we overcommitted at the end before being hit on the break. UCD stayed in the game but I don’t think they played particularly well. To come away with nothing on the night, I thought we were robbed.”

Drogheda United have had two 2-1 wins over the Blues so far this season, and whilst Mahon hopes the game will allow Drogs to bounce back from last week’s defeat, he is fully aware of the form Waterford are displaying of late.

“I heard they [Waterford United] were excellent last week in their 2-0 win over Shelbourne. Not many sides have beaten Shels in Tolka Park this season and that was their fifth win in the last six games. They are putting together a genuine push for the play-offs and we need to make sure we stay ahead of them in the table.

“I’ve stressed all season how important it is for us to win our home games and Friday night will be the perfect opportunity to bounce back from last week’s defeat.”

Long term injury victims Colm Deasy and Adam Wixted are the only doubts for the game with both expected to undergo late fitness tests.

WATERFORD UNITED

Goals have been a feature of Waterford United season so far whether they are scoring or conceding them. The Blues are the second highest scorers in the division but they have also conceded the second highest amount of goals.

Roddy Collins side are on a run of two wins at present. A walkover against a no-show Athlone Town and a solid 2-0 win over Shels in Tolka Park. When Waterford have won this season, they have done so by at least a two goal margin, but on the flip side they have taken heavy losses too.

A win against Drogheda United will move the Blues to a point of the Louth side and move them into a challenging position for a play-off spot. The visitors have no suspensions to worry about but at the time of writing, no team news was available.

Referee: Robert Hennessey

MATCH STATS

Drogheda United have won both previous league games against Waterford United this season – both resulting in 2-1 wins.

Waterford United have managed to draw only once so far in their 14 league games. A 3-3 against Athlone Town.

Every Waterford United game this season has seen at last two goals scored. The average goals per game featuring Waterford this season is 4.2 compared to 2.7 for Drogheda United so you should expect goals in this encounter.

BETTING

Drogheda United 4/7; Draw 11/4; Waterford United 4/1

PREDICTION

Drogheda United 2-1 Waterford United

Drogheda United

Injuries: None

Doubtful: Colm Deasy, Adam Wixted

Suspensions: None

Waterford United

Injuries: Unavailable

Doubtful: Unavailable

Suspensions: None