League Preview: Wexford -v- Drogheda United

WEXFORD

Second-from-bottom Wexford entertain second-placed Drogheda United at Ferrycarrig Park on Friday night (kick-off 8pm).

Managerless Wexford come into the game off a 3-0 away defeat to Longford Town last Saturday night, handing them their 14^th defeat of the season in the process.

Wexford are also looking for their fifth win of the season when they face the Drogs tonight, buoying for revenge after the 8-1 defeat in the first encounter between the sides at Ferrycarrig this season.

The Slaneysiders go into the game on the back of two defeats (table-topping UCD and Longford) after a good run of results (draw with Galway, win at Cabinteely) and will hope to finish the season strongly.

Wexford could even have an impact on the promotion play-off/ title fight picture as they also face Harps and Shelbourne in the remaining games of the season.

In team news, Ross Kenny, Aaron Dobbs, Ryan Nolan and AJ Lehane are all on the mend from recent injuries and are back training but are still unavailable for selection.

Mark Slater should be fit for tonight, however, having missed last weeks game in Longford through injury while Owen McCormack is back from his suspension.

DROGHEDA UNITED

The Drogs kept up the pace in the battle for the First Division play-offs as they defeated Athlone Town 2-1 at United Park last time out.

Goals from Luke Gallagher and Colm Deasy saw Drogheda move two points clear in second place and Drogs boss Tim Clancy was pleased with the three points.

“Results are all that matter right now,” Clancy told the club’s official website.

“I thought we played really well in the first-half. The rain before kick-off was certainly welcomed.

“After the break, we weren’t quite the same and maybe there was some complacency but it would’ve been a travesty had we not won.

“Some of the other sides around us dropped points last week so that’s obviously a positive and we just need to keep on winning between now and the end of the season.”

The Boynesiders, buoyed from their new stadium news, have won the two league meetings between the sides with an aggregate score of 10-1 but Clancy believes that the previous meetings will have no bearing on Friday’s game.

“It was a much more competitive game when Wexford came to United Park a couple of months ago so we won’t be taking anything for granted.

“I know Wexford have recently changed manager so we’ll see if there’s a bounce from the players.

“There’s only six league games left and we need to win each one to give us a chance of finishing in the play-offs so we will be fully focused.”

In team news, Clancy will have a full squad to select from as Chris Lyons returns from a one-match ban.

Referee: David Dunne.

MATCH STATS

Both sides have played each other five times up to now. Wexford winning one, with a dominant Drogs winning the other four.

There has been an average of 3.4 goals a game in those five games.

Wexford have a record of four wins, three draws and 14 defeats in the league this season.

Drogheda have a record of 12 wins, four draws and five defeats.

BETTING

Wexford 7/1; Draw 7/2; Drogheda United 1/4.

PREDICTION

Wexford 0 – 2 Drogheda United

Wexford

Injured: Ross Kenny, Aaron Dobbs, Ryan Nolan, AJ Lehane.

Doubtful: Mark Slater.

Suspended: None.

Drogheda United

Injured: None.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.