League Preview: UCD -v- Drogheda United

UCD

UCD host Drogheda United at the Belfield Bowl on Friday evening (kick-off 7.45pm), in a very important game in the First Division. The teams are separated by a single point, sitting second and third respectively, and thus are heavily involved in the race for the play-offs. Both teams will be searching for a win to improve their play-off prospects.

Collie O'Neill's side picked up a very impressive and important away win last Friday at Tolka Park, defeating Shels 2-1, which ensured they moved up to second in the table. A run of form, which has seen UCD win four of their last five games and earn thirteen points from a possible fifteen, means they're safely inside the play-off spots by six points.

The next two games are crucial for O'Neill's side and he knows as much. Following the game against Drogs, UCD's next game will be home to top of the table and unbeaten Limerick. Tomorrow's opposition have twice come close to beating Limerick, and O'Neill believes the nature of their draw against Limerick last week will give them a hunger to do better at the Belfield Bowl.

“I am expecting another extremely tight game on Friday,” O'Neill told the club's website. “They will be looking to make amends for conceding late against Limerick, which allowed Limerick back into the game and saw it finish 3-3.

“However, with the way Limerick have been this season they will also look on it as a point gained in the play-off race as they remain the only side to have picked up points against Limerick so far this season.”

The Students have a host of players unavailable. Centre-half Maxi Kouogun is suspended after an accumulation of five yellow cards in the league this season. Tomas Boyle, Brian Shortall, Adam Harney, Cathal Brady and Samir Belhout are all absent through injury. Greg Sloggett is an injury doubt and will face a late fitness test before the game to ascertain whether he can take part.

DROGHEDA UNITED

Pete Mahon's side have been in good form recently and are looking very strong in their quest to earn a promotion straight back to the Premier Division. After three consecutive wins, Drogheda's winning streak came to an end last week with a pulsating 3-3 draw against league leaders Limerick last Friday and as a result have been leapfrogged by their opponents tomorrow.

The Drogs took the lead early in the game through Sean Brennan's goal. Gareth McCaffrey doubled their lead in the second half but Paul O'Connor opened Limerick's account two minutes later. Marc Griffin's goal midway through the second half looked as though it might signal Limerick's first defeat of the season, but a Lee Lynch goal and a stoppage time equaliser from Aaron Greene ended a six-goal thriller all square.

"It was a fantastic game of football but we were frustrated to only come away with a point,” said Mahon to the club's website. “To be leading in injury time and to not win the game was bitterly disappointing but I can't take anything away from the players.

“It was our best display of the season. Every player that went out on the pitch can be proud of their performance. It's all well and good doing it against the best team in the division but that has to be the standard we aim for each week between now and the end of the season.”

The visit to Belfield brings with it an ample opportunity for Mahon's Drogs to rise to that occasion and prove they're capable of the task. There should be no lack of motivation, given that the Drogs have only picked up one point in two meetings with UCD so far this season. Last week's draw will have tasted like a defeat and should offer further motivation for the players.

"Tomorrow night's game is obviously massive, for both sides, as there's been nothing between us all season. They won at United Park a couple of months ago and we'll be looking to return the favour. If we play like we did last Friday, I have no doubt we will come away with the win."

Mahon is able to welcome back Adam Wixted to his selection plans. The midfielder is available again following a lengthy injury lay-off. Otherwise there are concerns over the fitness of defender Kevin Farragher and striker John McKeown, both of whom are rated as doubts for the game.

Referee: Michael O'Connor

MATCH STATS

There have been two meetings between the teams already this season. Midway through April the sides met for the first time at the Belfield Bowl and shared the spoils in a 2-2 draw. They met again at United Park in the first game after the mid-season break and that time UCD came from behind to win the game 2-1.

It's been a long time since Drogheda United picked up a win against UCD in Belfield. Not since April 2008 have the Drogs tasted victory at the UCD Campus. In the eleven games since that occasion the Students have won seven times while the other four occasions ended in a draw. Interestingly enough, Pete Mahon was the manager of UCD in April 2008 when the Drogs last won in UCD.

Both teams come into this game with the exact same six-game form. Four wins, one draw and one loss. Very little separates these teams and it shows after 20 games in the league and only one point between the two. UCD have lost only two games at home, while Drogheda United have lost only two games away.

BETTING

Home Evens; Draw 23/10; Away 9/4.

PREDICTION

UCD 2-1 Drogheda United

UCD

Injured: Tomas Boyle (neck), Brian Shortall (hamstring), Adam Harney (groin), and Samir Belhout (groin), Cathal Brady (hamstring).

Doubtful: Greg Sloggett.

Suspended: Maxi Kouogun.

Drogheda United

Injured: None.

Doubtful: Kevin Farragher, John McKeown.

Suspended: None.