League Preview: Drogheda United -v- Cobh Ramblers

Drogheda United host Cobh Ramblers at United Park on Friday evening in what is arguably the biggest game in the First Division so far this season.

DROGHEDA UNITED

Drogheda United come into this game unbeaten in their last six games, with their last defeat coming in a 2-1 defeat away to Cobh in July.

Since then, Pete Mahon's side have won four and drawn against both the sides who sit above and below them in the league, Limerick and UCD.

Drogheda have moved to second in the league following their 3-1 victory over Waterford, thanks to goals from the inform Sean Brennan, on loan Shamrock Rovers forward Gareth McCaffrey and defender Kevin Farragher.

A win against play-off rivals Cobh, who Drogheda currently sit five points ahead of, would see the Boynesiders move closer to securing a play-off spot as they would be eight clear of Stephen Henderson’s side with just five games to play.

In team news, Mahon will have a full strength squad to choose from as Sean Thornton returns from an injury that kept him out of the victory over Waterford last week while Adam Wixted made his long awaited return from injury in that game, coming on a substitute for Aaron Ashe with half an hour to play.

COBH RAMBLERS

Stephen Henderson's Cobh Ramblers travel to Drogheda knowing a win will keep them firmly in the race for a play-off spot while a defeat will open up a wide gap, leaving them with a lot of work to do, especially if UCD manage to defeat Cabinteely this weekend.

Cobh are unbeaten in five and their last four league games have been against the bottom four sides in the league and included 3-1 and 2-1 victories over Cabinteely and Athlone Town respectively.

However, a 2-2 draw against Waterford and a scoreless draw, the first of Cobh's season, against Shelbourne now leaves Cobh three points adrift of UCD and five adrift of Drogheda.

Cobh will be without the suspended Chris McCarthy for the trip to Louth but Charlie Fleming is again available after serving his suspension.

Referee: Robert Hennessey.

MATCH STATS

The head to head record between these sides stands at 20 played, eleven victories for Drogheda, six draws and three Cobh Ramblers victories, all three of which were at St. Colman’s Park.

In the three meetings between the sides this season, there has been one draw at St Colman’s Park, one Drogheda win and one Cobh win with both wins coming for the home side in April and July respectively.

Drogheda have scored in 19 of their 22 league games this season, scoring 34 in total. Meanwhile, Cobh have found the net in 16 of their 22 games, scoring 29 in total so far this season.

BETTING

Drogheda United 4/5; Draw 14/5; Cobh Ramblers 16/5.

PREDICTION

Drogheda United 2-1 Cobh Ramblers

Drogheda United

Injured: None.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

Cobh Ramblers

Injured: Unknown.

Doubtful: Unknown.

Suspended: Chris McCarthy.