League Preview: Waterford United -v- Drogheda United

WATERFORD UNITED

Waterford United host Drogheda United at the RSC as they look to secure a victory over the County Louth side for the first time since November 2005.

Waterford currently sit fifth in the First Division with the play-off spots seemingly out of reach as they are 11 points off third spot with just seven games remaining.

Waterford do, however, come into this game in form as they are unbeaten in three and are coming off back-to-back wins over Athlone Town and Shelbourne.

Waterford's top goalscorer, Philly Gorman, who is also the second highest scorer in the league this season, gave Roddy Collins side the lead over Shelbourne before Lorcan Shannon equalised for Shels.

Waterford's winner came through 16 year old subsitute Owen Wall, who tapped home from a free kick to score his first senior goal.

DROGHEDA UNITED

Drogheda United will be hoping to put the pressure on their play-off rivals, Cobh and UCD, by recording their first win in three games when they face Waterford this evening.

The Boynesiders come into this game unbeaten in six, with their last two games ending in draws with the two sides above them in the league, Limerick and UCD.

Drogheda had taken the lead through Sean Brennan in the second half, after wasting a number of very good chances in the first half before again conceding late on, this time through a Ryan Swan strike.

Speaking to the club website, Drogheda manager Pete Mahon expressed his disappointed at the result: “We created more than enough chances to win the game comfortably but our finishing let us down. It was frustrating to concede once again late on as it’s been our achilles heel all season.”

“The first time we squandered a lead was in the fourth game at home to Athlone Town and it’s happened all too regularly since. I think it’s around 14 or 16 points that we’ve lost from winning positions."

Drogheda have won all three meetings between the sides this season, including a 2-1 victory at the RSC in April, in a game where Drogheda actually had to line out in Waterford away jerseys due to a kit clash.

In team news, Drogheda have no suspensions but defender Kevin Farragher is an injury doubt. However, he is expected to be passed fit before the game.

Referee: Adriano Reale.

MATCH STATS

Drogheda will be looking to make it a clean sweep of victories over Waterford this season, having won all three games between these sides this season, thanks to two 2-1 victories followed by a 2-0 victory at United Park.

Waterford have picked up sixteen of their 26 points at home this season, recording five wins, one draw and five defeats.

Meanwhile, Drogheda have won just three of their ten away games this season, drawing five and losing the other two. However, one of those victories was at the RSC in April.

BETTING

Waterford United 14/5; Draw 11/4; Drogheda United 20/23.

PREDICTION

Waterford United 1-2 Drogheda United.

Waterford United

Injured: Unknown.

Doubtful: Unknown.

Suspended: None.

Drogheda United

Injured: None.

Doubtful: Kevin Farragher.

Suspended: None.