League Preview: Drogheda United - V - UCD

Drogheda United host UCD at United Park on Saturday night as the two sides go head-to-head in a final day battle for the First Division  play-off spots.

DROGHEDA UNITED

Drogheda United come into this crucial final day fixture knowing a point will guarantee them a play-off spot, despite back to back defeats to Cabinteely and Limerick in their last two games.

Prior to the defeat to Cabinteely, the Boynesiders had been on a nine game unbeaten run where they picked up seven victories and played out draws with both Limerick and UCD.

Drogheda manager Pete Mahon, who recently signed a new two year deal with the club, believes his side have been the second best team in the First Division this season but admits they will only have themselves to blame should they fail to make the playoffs.

“I firmly believe that we’ve been the second best team in the league this season. We’ve played some excellent football throughout the season and we’ve spent the majority of the year in second place. The league table never lies though and if we finish outside the playoffs we will only have ourselves to blame,” Mahon told the droghedaunited.ie.

Drogheda currently sit just a point ahead of UCD and two points clear of Cobh Ramblers, who face Athlone Town at the same time on Saturday evening. Despite the fact that his side need just a point to secure a spot in the playoffs, Mahon has said that he will set his team up to attack from the off.

“I’m expecting a great atmosphere tomorrow and it’ll be up to the players to match the passion and commitment of the fans. I’ve never set a team up for a draw in my life and I’m not going to start tomorrow. It’s a very dangerous mindset to be in. We will be approaching it like all the games we have this year, to try to get on the front foot and attack.”

In team news, Drogheda will be without the suspended Sean Brennan following his red card against Limerick. However, Gareth McCaffrey returns to the squad following a three match suspension. 

UCD AFC

Unlike Drogheda, UCD come into this fixture off the back off two victories where they scored a total of eleven goals.

The first of those two victories came at the end of September as they demolished Waterford United 8-1 at the RSC. UCD then defeated Shelbourne in a thriller that ended 3-2 to the Students thanks to an injury time winner from Ryan Swan after Georgie Kelly and Liam Scales had both seen their earlier goals cancelled out by Adam Evans and Dylan Kavanagh of Shelbourne.

UCD head to United Park knowing that with Cobh Ramblers favourites to beat Athlone, only a victory will guarantee them a play-off spot. The Students will be looking to continue with their impressive recent record against Drogheda which has seen them win three of the last six meetings between the sides, all by a solitary goal.

Manager Collie O’Neill has said that his side are well aware of what they have to do and that he is confident his side will get the result that they need.

“It’s in our hands, we know exactly what we have to do and at least, we aren’t looking over our shoulder and hoping for other results to go our way,” O'Neill said.

“These are the type of games everyone wants to be involved in, but it will come down to the players desire to pull up their sleeves and grind out the result we need. With the quality of the players we have I am confident that is exactly what they are going to do and get the win needed to secure our play-off place.”

O'Neill has no suspension worries ahead of the game and is expected to have a full squad to choose from.

Referee: Robert Hennessey

MATCH STATS

In the 52 meetings between these sides, it is UCD who have the better record, winning 24 games to the 15 Drogheda have won, while there have been 13 draws.

Drogheda have not won any of the three meetings between these sides this season. There have been two draws, both in Belfield, while UCD won the game at United Park thanks to a late Dylan Watts strike.

UCD are the second highest scorers in the First Division this season with 56 goals, while Drogheda are the fourth highest with 40 goals from 27 games.

BETTING

Drogheda United 11/8; Draw 5/2; UCD 15/8.

PREDICTION

Drogheda United 2-2 UCD

Drogheda United

Injured: None.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: Sean Brennan.

UCD

Injured: None.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.