League Preview: Drogheda United -v- Sligo Rovers

DROGHEDA UNITED

Drogheda United will look to record back-to-back wins for the first time since the opening two games of the season as they host Sligo Rovers at United Park on Friday (kick-off 7.45pm).

The Boynesiders bounced back from a 3-0 defeat to Limerick by beating Finn Harps 2-0 with a performance that pleased manager Pete Mahon.

“We needed to show a reaction after the Limerick game and that’s exactly what we did,” Mahon told the club's website.

Mahon believes Sligo are a much better team than their position in the table suggests but stressed that his main concern is what how his side show up on the night.

“We’ve all seen how a team can get a lift from a new manager but I’m not bothered by it. What concerns me is which Drogheda United is going to show up.

“We’ve blown hot and cold this season but consistency is something that we are striving for,” Mahon said.

In team news, Drogheda welcome back Killian Brennan who has been out of action since breaking his collarbone against Galway in the opening game of the season. His brother, Sean Brennan, returns from suspension.

Drogheda will however remain without Lloyd Buckley and Jake Hyland through injury while Thomas Byrne is on international duty with the Irish under-18 side at the Slovakia Cup.

SLIGO ROVERS

Gerard Lyttle will take charge of his first game as Sligo Rovers manager on Friday night as the Bit o’ Red look to pick up a first away win of the season.

Lyttle was announced as Sligo manager last Friday, hours after resigning from his managerial post at Cliftonville.

The new manager praised caretaker manager Declan McIntyre, who he watched take charge of the 1-1 draw against Derry.

“Declan McIntyre has been a breath of fresh air in his help to me and we have been doing our preparation on Drogheda,” Lyttle told the club's website.

“It's going to be a difficult game because Drogheda have shown what they are capable of by some of the wins they have had. We can't wait to take on the challenge.”

Lyttle has no injury worries for his first game in charge but will be without the suspended John Russell, who received a one game additional ban following his red card against Shamrock Rovers.

Referee: Ray Matthews

MATCH STATS

All of Drogheda’s points so far this season have come from their four wins, two of which have been at home, to St. Patrick’s Athletic and Shamrock Rovers.

In their five away league games so far this season, Sligo Rovers have managed to pick up just one point from a draw away to Galway United.

This is the first meeting between these sides since the 2015 season. That season, Drogheda won the first meeting between the sides 3-2 before losing 2-0 and 4-0 in the other two games.

BETTING

Drogheda United 13/8; Draw 23/10; Sligo Rovers 13/8.

PREDICTION

Drogheda United 2-1 Sligo Rovers

Drogheda United

Injured: Lloyd Buckley, Jake Hyland.

Unavailable: Thomas Byrne (international duty).

Suspended: None.

Sligo Rovers

Injured: None.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: John Russell.