League Preview: Drogheda United -v- Bohemians

• Gareth Penrose
• Fri, Apr 08 2022




Sixth placed Bohemians take a trip up the M1 to face eighth placed Drogheda United at Head in the Game Park on Friday in the SSE Airtricity League of Ireland Premier Division.

DROGHEDA UNITED

Having beaten Dundalk in the Louth derby, Drogheda United have since recorded back-to-back away draws against St. Patrick’s Athletic and Finn Harps.

In the Boynesiders game last week against Pats, a Dayle Rooney strike in the first-half was cancelled out by Darragh Burns levelling it on the 76th minute.

Unbeaten in the last three games, Kevin Doherty will be hoping that his side can get back to winning ways and a victory against the Gypsies would see them leapfrog their opponents in the Premier Division table.

In team news, Drogheda have midfielders Ryan Brennan, Luke Heeney, and Mark Hughes again available but will be without the injured duo of Adam Foley and Darragh Markey.

BOHEMIANS

Bohemians come into this game on the back of a 1-0 away win against Sligo Rovers. It ended a run of five games without a victory.

A Liam Burt goal was enough to give Bohs all three points and move the Gypsies into mid-table.

Manager Keith Long felt his team could have won by a larger margin but for the endeavours of Sligo Rovers’ goalkeeper.

 “Keeping clean sheets gives you a platform to win games and that is what we needed on Tuesday,” Long told bohemiansfc.ie.

“We could have won by more - we had some great chances and their keeper did well against us in one v one situations too.

“They showed great character and played really, really well in difficult conditions and on what is currently a difficult pitch to play on.

“The challenge now is that we have to follow that up with another good display but that performance will lift everyone's confidence - they have shown themselves what they are capable of.”

Long is hoping his side will build on the Tuesday victory and record back-to-back wins for the first time this season.

“It is another quick turnaround, Drogheda are very tough opponents and it is always a difficult place to go.

"They don’t give teams an inch on what is a tight pitch.

“But we are determined to continue where we left off on Tuesday night and the team are looking forward to trying to build on that performance.”

In team news, James Finnerty (knee), Stephen Mallon (ankle) and Ryan Cassidy (ankle) remain doubts, as is Rory Feely, who was forced off after just ten minutes on Tuesday.

Referee: Paul McLaughlin

MATCH STATS

Bohemians and Drogheda United first faced each other in League football during the 1975/76 season with both games ending in a 2-2 draw.

The biggest victory goes to Bohemians who recorded a 6-0 win over the Drogs on the 15^th December 1995.

The most goals in one game Drogheda United has scored against Bohemians is four. That happened in 2012 when they recorded a 4-1 win away from home.

BETTING

Drogheda United 16/5; Draw 23/10; Bohemians 4/5

PREDICTION

Drogheda United 1 - 1 Bohemians

Drogheda United

Injured:  Adam Foley, Darragh Markey

Doubtful: None

Suspended: None

Bohemians 

Injured: None

Doubtful: James Finnerty (knee), Stephen Mallon (ankle),Ryan Cassidy (ankle) and Rory Feely

Suspended: None

League Preview: @shelsfc -v- @ShamrockRovershttps://t.co/ysLMHiSYWbpic.twitter.com/zWkrtOJj0o

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