League Preview: Drogheda United -v- Bohemians

DROGHEDA UNITED

Drogheda United play their first league game in four weeks on Friday night as they host Bohemians at United Park.

With their league game against Derry being rearranged, it meant three of Drogheda's last four games came in the FAI Cup.

The Boynesiders defeated non-league sides Evergreen and Cobh Wanderers, 4-0 and 5-1 respectively, before losing 4-0 in the quarter-final to Dundalk last week.

In the league, Drogheda have now drawn six and lost ten of their last sixteen games since they last won away to Finn Harps in the opening series of fixtures in April.

Pete Mahon’s side are bottom of the league, twelve points from safety with just seven games to play and relegation back to the First Division at the first time of asking looking likely.

“I don’t think that there are many experts out there giving us much hope of turning things around.

“We have seven games left to play and we simply want to put as many points on the board as we possibly can and see where that leaves us,” Mahon told www.droghedaunited.ie.

Mahon expects a competitive game again with Bohs and has called on his players to play without fear.

“Given our predicament in the league, I’m hopeful that the lads can play without fear and really go for the win on Friday.”

In team news, Drogheda will again be without the injured trio of Colm Deasy, Gavin Brennan and Ryan Masterson while they are hopeful of Kevin Farragher and Stephen Elliott being fit for selection.

BOHEMIANS

Keith Long’s Bohemians travel to Drogheda as they look to close the gap to fifth place Bray Wanderers to just a point.

Bohs’ last victory came away to league leaders Cork City at the end of July. Since then, Long’s side have drawn twice at home in the league, with Bray and Galway and lost away to Limerick.

“The Galway first and second-half performances were like night and day. It was a reflection of our season in some ways,” Long told www.bohemianfc.com.

“We were excellent in the first half but we need that for the full 90 minutes and we need to be more clinical in front of goal when chances present themselves.”

Bohemians exited the FAI Cup in the first round against Finn Harps, in a game that finished 4-3 after extra time in Ballybofey, meaning they had no game last week but Long says his side are ready to go.

“It’s been stop-start with the way the cup has been scheduled this year. But we’ve had plenty of tough training sessions instead and we’re ready to go,” Long said.

Long is expecting another tough game against Drogheda with Dan Byrne’s late winner in United Park the only goal scored in the two games between the sides this season.

“We had to work really hard for the points in United Park the last time, so we know we will have to produce a resilient performance again if we are to come away with the right result.”

Both Lorcan Fitzgerald and Eoin Wearen miss out through injury but Dylan Hayes (injury) and Ian Morris (suspension) are again available.

Referee: Robert Hennessey.

MATCH STATS

The first meeting between these sides this season ended in a 1-0 victory to Bohemians at United Park while the second resulted in a scoreless draw at Dalymount Park.

Drogheda are the only side to score less than 20 goals so far this season. The Boynesiders have managed just 17 goals in 26 games this season.

Bohemians are the joint second lowest scorers in the league, scoring 25 times in 27 games. However, unlike Drogheda, Bohs’ sit sixth in the league having won ten games (Drogheda have won just four).

BETTING

Drogheda United 11/4; Draw 12/5; Bohemians 1/1.

PREDICTION

Drogheda United 1-2 Bohemians.

Drogheda United

Injured: Colm Deasy, Gavin Brennan, Ryan Masterson.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

Bohemians

Injured: Lorcan Fitzgerald (knee), Eoin Wearen (cruciate).

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.