League Preview: St. Patrick's Athletic -v- Drogheda United

Saints supporters

Saints supporters Credit: Eddie Lennon (ETPhotos)

ST. PATRICK'S ATHLETIC

The Saints are looking for back-to-back wins under interim manager Jon Daly when they host Drogheda United on Friday at Richmond Park (kick off 7.45pm).

Their 3-2 victory in Cork last week thanks to goals from Adam Murphy, Jake Mulraney and Conor Carty stopped a sequence of three losses which led to Tim Clancy leaving the club by mutual consent.

Interim boss Jon Daly spoke to the media during the week about the game saying “To come out on the right side of a five-goal thriller at Turner’s Cross last week was fantastic. I thought the win was well warranted, I thought we played fantastically well.

“It was great for Adam Murphy coming on to get his first professional goal and for Conor Carty to score his first for the club too to get off the mark and Jake had a great finish too.

“We've quickly turned our attention towards Drogheda and we've been training towards that all week. If we can play to the levels we know we can hit then we give ourselves the best chance of winning the game."

The Saints currently sit sixth in the table but are just two points behind Dundalk in fourth place.

DROGHEDA UNITED

The Boynesiders travel to Inchicore on Friday following a narrow defeat to Derry City in Weavers Park last week.

Adam O’Reilly put the visitors before Freddie Draper missed a guilt-edge opportunity to claim a point late on.



The Drogs were hit with further issues as Conor Keeley (ankle) and Elicha Ahui (knee) limping off during the game and are now doubtful for Friday.

Kevin Doherty’s side had a reasonable start to the season but with no win in six they have now sit eighth in the table.

Referee: Sean Grant

 

MATCH STATS

Pats were victorious when the sides last met in Drogheda in April. Goals from Eoin Doyle and a Chris Forrester double were enough for a 3-1 win.



The Athletic have won the last four meetings between the sides.

Despite taking the second highest amount of shots (167) Drogheda are the second lowest scorers in the division with 11 goals.

St Pats have the second worst xGA (expected goals against) with 20.48.

PREDICTION

1-0 home win

BETTING

Home 8/11; Draw 13/5; Away 3/1.

 

St. Patrick's Athletic

Injured: Joe Redmond

Doubtful: Danny Rogers, Tom Grivosti, Harry Brockbank, Axel Sjoberg

Suspended: Eoin Doyle

Drogheda United

Injured: Evan Weir, Darragh Noone, Ben Curtis,

Doubtful: Jarlath Jones, Conor Keeley, ElichaAhui

Suspended: Emmanuel Adegboyega

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