League Preview: Drogheda United -v- Dundalk

DROGHEDA UNITED

Drogheda United host Louth rivals Dundalk at Weavers Park on Monday afternoon (kick-off is at 1pm).

The teams played out a scoreless draw at Oriel Park last month in the most recent tie between them.

Both sides finished that game with ten men after full-backs Luke Heeney and Archie Davies were both sent off.

Kevin Doherty's side head into this game following back to back defeats in the last week, 4-0 away to Shamrock Rovers followed by a 1-0 defeat away to St Patrick’s Athletic on Friday.

But Drogs have been handed a boost with a full-fit squad to choose from for Monday’s derby. 

Defender Jack Keaney is available again following suspension.

DUNDALK 

Basement side Dundalk have a chance to move off the bottom spot when they face Drogheda United. 

If Noel King’s Lilywhites win, they will move ahead of Drogheda in the table. 

But they will have to make do without defender Zaka Bradshaw who is suspended. Robbie Mahon and Dara Keane are doubts.

“The performance on Friday against Shelbourne was very pleasing,” King said. “I thought the lads were really at it, well organised, high intensity, they wanted something out of the game and thankfully they got something. They may have got a win but it could have gone either way, in fairness, so I was very happy with it….

“Now, the big message is the derby. The plan is that we just keep going. It’s three points. That’s the key. How we go about getting the three points, we have to see how people recover, we’ve got tired bodies. It’s not easy, these three matches in such a short time.

“It’s the same for Drogheda as well. People will drop out through injury and suspension. We’ll wait and see. The most important thing after Friday was to rest up, get our heads on and get back to business for Monday.”

Referee: Robert Harvey. 

PREDICTION 

Drogheda United 2-1 Dundalk 

Drogheda United

Injured: None. 

Doubtful: None. 

Suspended: None. 

Dundalk 

Injured: Robbie Mahon, Dara Keane. 

Doubtful: None. 

Suspended: Zak Bradshaw.