League Preview: UCD -v- Drogheda United

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UCD

The relegation battle at the foot of the Premier Division table between UCD and Finn Harps is every bit as intriguing as the battle for league honours between Shamrock Rovers and Derry City at the top of the table.

Both relegation candidates are in action this Friday night with the Students hosting the Boynesiders while Finn Harps travel to Dalymount Park to take on Bohemians.

The two teams are both locked on 31 points with the Students having one game on hand (away to Shels on Monday), a game that could prove crucial in determining the outcome of the fight for survival in the Premier Division.

UCD’s league form has been poor of late, having lost their last four league games. However their last win, a 3-2 defeat of Dundalk in Belfield, will give them confidence that they can match any side in the league if they manage to hit the levels of performance they are capable of.

They are facing a Drogheda side who are mid table with nothing to aim for in their last three games, a fact that may make their task slightly easier on Friday night.

They will be without manager Andy Myler on the side-line as he was red carded in their last home game against Sligo Rovers a fortnight ago and has received a four match ban.

UCD will have a quick turnaround after the Drogheda game as they face FAI Cup finalists Shelbourne in Tolka Park on Monday night before then heading to Ballybofey the following Friday night to face Finn Harps in a crucial fixture. 

That game is likely to be viewed by both sides as effectively their own cup final, with the outcome probably going to determine who stays up and who faces into the minefield that is the playoff games.

DROGHEDA UNITED



Drogheda United travel down the M1 motorway to face UCD on Friday night safe in the knowledge that their place in the 2023 Premier Division is well secured even with three games remaining.

While their recent form has been poor, they have only won once in their last eight games, they have performed sufficiently well in Kevin Doherty’s first season in charge to accumulate 35 points, a full 16 points ahead of both UCD and Finn Harps.

They did however record that single victory away from home against Bohemians and more significantly followed that up with a highly creditable 1-1 draw with leaders Shamrock Rovers last weekend.

They did go behind to an early Graham Burke goal at the Head in the Game Park against Rovers but showed great resilience to draw level just before half time. Wicklow man Chris Lyons reacting quickest to stab the ball home after Alan Mannus spilled a shot from Adam Foley.

The only downside from the Rovers match was the loss of combative midfielder Gary Deegan who was red carded in the 78th minute.

Another very positive aspect of the match from Doherty’s perspective was that he was able to give a substitute appearance to Callum Ralph, captain of the clubs under-19 team.



Referee: Rob Harvey

BETTING

UCD 2/1; Draw 51/20; Drogheda United 7/5

PREDICTION

UCD 2 - 1 Drogheda Utd

UCD

Injured: Colm Whelan

Doubtful: None

Suspended:  Andy Myler 

Drogheda United

Injured: Evan Weir, Luke Heeney

Doubtful: Adam Foley

Suspended: Gary Deegan

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