League Preview: Athlone Town -v- Drogheda United

ATHLONE TOWN

Athlone Town host Drogheda United in what is the penultimate home game of the season for Terry Butler’s side.

Athlone head into this game sitting ninth in the league, two points behind eighth placed Galway and six points clear of bottom of the table Wexford.

Butler’s side come into this game off the back of a 1-1 draw away to Limerick a fortnight ago.

Nika Kalandarishvili had given Athlone the lead just before half time before a 75th minute own goal from Aaron Brilly gave Limerick a share of the points.

Following a 3-1 win over Wexford last month, Athlone had then lost their five games prior to that Limerick fixture, including back to back 5-1 and 3-1 defeats in the league and FAI Cup to Longford Town.

Athlone have no suspensions for this game while team news is unknown.

DROGHEDA UNITED

Drogheda United will be hoping to prolong the First Division title race against Shelbourne when they face Athlone Town on Friday evening.

As it stands, Drogheda are second, five points behind league leaders Shelbourne with three games to play, with the two sides set to face each other in United Park in a fortnight in the penultimate game of the season.

Drogheda head into their game against Athlone off the back of a 4-0 defeat in the FAI Cup to Shamrock Rovers.

The game had been level at half time before four second half goals from Gary O’Neill, Aaron Greene, Aaron McEneff and Sean Kavanagh saw the Hoops progress to the quarter finals.

Prior to that game, the Boynesiders had been unbeaten in five games in the league and FAI Cup, winning four, and playing out a 0-0 draw against Cabinteely.

In team news, Tim Clancy may have a full-strength squad to choose from for the first time this season if midfielder Mark Hughes, who is back in training, is fit enough to return to the matchday squad.

Referee: David Keeler

MATCH STATS

Drogheda United have won the last eight meetings between these sides, dating back to 2-2 draw at United Park in the 2016 First Division.

Athlone’s last win over Drogheda came at Athlone Town Stadium in the Premier Division in 2014, as the home side beat the Boynesiders 6-0.

There have been 14 goals in the two games between the sides this season, with Drogheda winning the first game in Athlone 5-3 after being 2-0 and 3-1 down before beating Athlone 4-2 at United Park – having led 3-0 at half time before Athlone scored two quick fire goals to bring the score back to 3-2.

BETTING

Athlone Town 13/2; Draw 4/1; Drogheda United 3/10.

PREDICTION

Athlone Town 1-3 Drogheda United

Athlone Town

Injured: Unavailable.

Doubtful: Unavailable.

Suspended: None.

Drogheda United

Injured: None.

Doubtful: Mark Hughes.

Suspended: None.