League Preview: Galway United -v- Drogheda United

Rob Slevin

Rob Slevin Credit: Paul Dolan (ETPhotos)

GALWAY UNITED

Galway United will be looking to get back to winning ways when they host Drogheda United at Eamonn Deacy Park on Thursday evening (kick-off7.45pm).

The Tribesmen are heading into Thursday’s fixture on the back of two losses in a row having had an impressive run of unbeaten form ended by St Patrick’s Athletic two weeks ago.

Last Friday they travelled to the Brandywell to face Derry City where they were brushed aside easily with Will Patching and Pat Hoban scoring the goals as the Candystripes ran out 2-0 winners.

Even with those results United are still just four points off third place with a game at hand and will likely have an eye on that more than the relegation battle at this stage.

A win on Thursday would strengthen their position in the Premier Division this season too and would put them 14 points clear of Drogheda, given this is their first season back in the top flight that is welcome news for the men from Galway.

DROGHEDA UNITED

Kevin Doherty’s men have taken a kicking of late and they will be desperate to pick up a positive result on the road this week.

They still sit above Dundalk on goal difference and in ninth place, but with just two points from their last six games it has been a challenging few weeks for the Boynesiders.

Drogheda have also scored just once in their last three games, a stretch which includes their last fixture, a scoreless draw with St Patrick’s Athletic.



Add in the fact that Doherty’s men are the only side in the Premier Division yet to win an away game and few commentators would be expecting them to clinch that elusive three points away from home this week.

Referee: Neil Doyle

MATCH STATS

Drogheda United have not lost at Eamonn Deacy Park since July 2017.

Drogheda had a run of nine games unbeaten against Galway United only for that run to be ended when the Tribesmen came from behind in injury time to win 2-3 at Weavers Park in May of this year.

Kevin Doherty’s men could drop into the bottom of the table if they lose tomorrow night.



BETTING

Galway United 1/2; Draw 27/10; Drogheda United 5/1.

PREDICTION

Galway United 1–0 Drogheda United

Galway United

Injured: None.

Doubtful: Colm Horgan, Regan Donelon.

Suspended: None.

Drogheda United

Injured: None.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.