League Preview: Dundalk -v- Drogheda United

DUNDALK

Dundalk return to league action on Friday night in the final Louth Derby of the season (kick-off 7.45pm) fresh from their EA Sports Cup final triumph over Shamrock Rovers last weekend.

The Lilywhites comfortably brushed Drogheda aside two weeks ago in the FAI Cup, winning 4-0, although Stephen Kenny’s side could have scored far more on the night.

Dundalk’s last league game came three weeks ago when they beat St. Pat’s 6-0 at Oriel Park and are now unbeaten in their last ten games in all competitions.

They face both Drogheda and Cork City this weekend as they look to continue their good form in preparation for next weekend’s FAI Cup semi-final against Shamrock Rovers.

“We just want to keep building on our form,” winger Michael Duffy told the club's official website.

“We’ve been playing well for the past two months and we want to take that into the Drogheda and Cork games.

“Then we have the semi-final of the FAI Cup against Shamrock Rovers which is going to be huge.

“We’ll obviously being going into that confident after beating them 3-0 and hopefully we’ll get to another final and give the fans a day out in the Aviva,” Duffy said.

In team news, Dylan Connolly, who scored against Drogheda two weeks ago, is again available after being cup tied for the EA Sports Cup final.

However, Dane Massey misses out through injury and Tommy Stewart is doubtful with a hip flexor problem.

DROGHEDA UNITED

With six games remaining, Drogheda United’s relegation to the First Division at the first time of asking looks all but confirmed.

The Boynesiders’ are twelve points from safety with the aim now being to end what is a 17-game winless league run before the season ends.

“We only have six games left this season and I certainly don’t want this winless run to carry over until next year so hopefully we can get that win over the line at some stage,” manager Pete Mahon told the club's website.

Drogheda have conceded 13 goals in their three defeats to Dundalk this season (two league, one FAI cup) and again shipped four to Bohemians last week.

“I thought we had been making progress in the last few weeks but the performance against Bohs was awful.

“It was like men against boys from a physical perspective but that’s the level that our young group needs to aspire to.”

Mahon said that the quality his side shows in training “belies that of a team odds on for relegation” and admitted it gets no easier on Friday against Dundalk.

"It doesn’t get any easier for us. They’ve given us some big defeats over the last couple of years but I don’t think we’ve anything to lose at this stage."

Drogheda will be without the injured trio of Gavin Brennan, Sean Russell and Conor Kane.

Jake Hyland is suspended for an accumulation of yellow cards, as is Chris Mulhall for his red card against Bohemians last week.

Meanwhile, midfielder Jack Bayly and defenders Colm Deasy and Stephen Dunne are all doubtful for the final Louth Derby of the season.

Referee: Robert Harvey.

MATCH STATS

Dundalk have won the two league and one FAI Cup meeting between the sides this season. The league games finished 3-1 and 6-0 to Dundalk while the Lilywhites won the FAI Cup game 4-0 at Oriel Park just two weeks ago.

Dundalk have won the last six meetings between the sides, with Drogheda’s last victory over the Lilywhites being a 4-1 victory on the opening day of the 2014 season.

Drogheda’s goal difference this season is -37, having scored just 18 and conceded 55 in 27 games. On the other hand, Dundalk have a goal difference of +42, having scored 61 goals in 27 games and conceded just 19.

BETTING

Dundalk 1/16; Draw 10/1; Drogheda United 33/1.

PREDICTION

Dundalk 6-0 Drogheda United

Dundalk

Injured: John Mountney.

Doubtful: Tommy Stewart.

Suspended: None.

Drogheda United

Injured: Gavin Brennan, Sean Russell, Conor Kane.

Doubtful: Colm Deasy, Jack Bayly, Stephen Dunne.

Suspended: Chris Mulhall, Jake Hyland.