League Preview: Drogheda United -v- Galway United

DROGHEDA UNITED

Drogheda United will be aiming to go three games unbeaten for the first time this season when they host Galway United at United Park.

The Boynesiders were left frustrated as they came away with just a point against Sligo Rovers last week after a performance manager Pete Mahon says was their best so far this season.

“We deserved the lead and should’ve made it two or three with the chances we created but it’s something the players can learn from. You have to kill off teams when you’re on top in games,” Mahon told the club website.

Drogheda find themselves sitting seventh in the table after the first round of games with Mahon believing between 38-40 points will be required to avoid relegation this season.

"Three teams going down means that it’s going to be incredibly tight and we can see that already as we’re only five points off Galway. I think it’ll take between 38-40 points to guarantee survival,” Mahon said.

In team news, the home side will be without the injured pair of Colm Deasy and Ryan McEvoy. However, in better news, Lloyd Buckley and Jake Hyland have both recovered from injury while Thomas Byrne has returned from international duty.

GALWAY UNITED

Galway United travel to Drogheda knowing that a win would lift them off the foot of the table on Friday night.

The Tribesman picked up their first league win of the season with a 2-1 victory over Dundalk thanks to a 93^rd minute winner from Gary Shanahan.

Galway are on a five game unbeaten run in all competitions and followed up their victory over Dundalk with a penalty shootout victory over Sligo in the EA Sports Cup on Monday.

Despite their good recent form, manager Shane Keegan told the club website that failing to beat Drogheda on Friday would take a shine off those recent results.

“It's wonderful that we've done as well as we have in the Dundalk and Sligo games, but it doesn't change things. It can't be a case of, the pressure is off us now because we got that first win.

“We have to be the hungry, horrible team that Drogheda would've expected to face. We might have a win, but we still need to be that hungry team and fight as if our lives depend on it,” Keegan said.

Shane Keegan has a full squad to choose from with no injury or suspension worries.

Referee: Jim McKell.

MATCH STATS

In the last four league meetings between these sides, Drogheda have won two, Galway have won one while the other game ended in a 1-1 draw. Just one of those games, a 2-0 victory for Drogheda, was at United Park.

These sides played each other on the opening day of the season with a late Gareth McCaffrey strike giving Drogheda the three points in a game that Galway had dominated.

Galway head into this game looking for their first away win in the league this season. The Tribesman have drawn three and lost two of their five games away from home so far this season.

BETTING

Drogheda United 6/4; Draw 12/5; Galway United 7/4.

PREDICTION

Drogheda United 1-1 Galway United

Drogheda United

Injured: Colm Deasy, Ryan McEvoy.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

Galway United

Injured: None.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.