League Preview: Drogheda United -v- Limerick

DROGHEDA UNITED

Drogheda United's run of league games without a win extended to ten last week as they lost 4-1 to Shamrock Rovers. On Friday night, they entertain Limerick at United Park (kick-off 7.45pm).

Two Rovers goals either side of a Sean Brennan strike, which ended a run of six games without scoring, saw Drogheda fall to their tenth defeat of the season.

Pete Mahon's side are entering a crucial stage of their season as they face the five other sides who currently sit in the bottom half of the table in their next five league fixtures.

Drogheda will again be without the suspended Thomas Byrne after his red card in the recent Louth Derby.

Forward pair Stephen Elliott and Ryan Masterson will undergo late fitness tests after picking up injuries against Shamrock Rovers.

That may see under-19 striker Stephen Meaney, who made his debut as a substitute for Masterson against Rovers, again called upon.

The Boynesiders lost a further two players last week after it was announced after the defeat in Tallaght that both Killian Brennan and Marc Griffin had left the club.

LIMERICK

With Bohemians not in action this weekend, Limerick head to Drogheda knowing that a win would see them move into the top half of the table.

The Shannonsiders let a two goal lead slip against St. Patrick's Athletic last week with manager Neil McDonald saying that while he was disappointed his side didn’t win the game, a point was gladly taken.

“It’s always disappointing when you get a 2-0 lead and it slips away from you. We still had chances to win the game after that," McDonald told www.limerickfc.ie.

“There are aspects of the game that we still need to get better on which we’re working on in training.

“Our attacking play and counter-attacking is excellent and we’re scoring freely which is good.

“We’re creating chances and we must keep on doing that – that would give us a good chance to win against Drogheda.”

Defender Tony Whitehead will again be available after overcoming an injury but Barry Cotter misses out with a knee injury.

Referee: Robert Harvey

MATCH STATS

Limerick eased to a 3-0 win in the first meeting between these sides in April as Rodrigo Tosi, Chris Mulhall and Chiedozie Ogbene all found the net.

Drogheda have drawn four and lost one of their last five home games, failing to score in the last three.

Their last home victory came in April with a 2-1 victory over Shamrock Rovers - the week before they lost 3-0 to Limerick.

Limerick have won one, lost three and drawn one of their last five away games but unlike Drogheda's home record, they have failed to score in just one of those games.

BETTING

Drogheda United 3/1; Draw 14/5; Limerick 5/6.

PREDICTION

Drogheda United 0-2 Limerick

Drogheda United

Injured: None.

Doubtful: Ryan Masterson, Stephen Elliott.

Suspended: Thomas Byrne.

Limerick

Injured: Barry Cotter (knee).

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.