League Preview: Athlone Town -v- Drogheda United

ATHLONE TOWN

Bottom-of-the-league Athlone Town welcome Drogheda United to Lissywollen (kick-off 7.45pm) on the back of a five-game losing streak.

Athlone Town will hope to begin a new era under a new manager following the appointment of Terry Butler to replace the departed Aaron Callaghan.

Callaghan handed in his resignation following the Leinster Senior Cup defeat to Shelbourne 11 days ago.

He was replaced by Butler in the dugout for last Friday's 3-0 defeat to Galway United and it was later announced Butler would take on the job until the end of the season.

As usual, Athlone Town have not provided any team news.

DROGHEDA UNITED

Drogheda United will look to get over the disappointment of last Friday's defeat to Finn Harps when they travel to the league's bottom side.

The Boynesiders led at half time through Sean Brennan's free kick, but second-half strikes from Keith Cowan and Ciaran O'Connor saw Harps to three points.

“It was a tough defeat to take,” Drogheda manager Tim Clancy told the club's official website.

“We started the game so well and fully deserved the lead through Sean’s excellent free-kick.

“We didn’t really want half-time to come as we were on top and looking for the second goal. It’s an important lesson that the lads will need to learn from.”

Clancy expects to see a bounce from Athlone with the new manager in charge: “We’ve all seen it countless of times: players always find that extra few percent when there’s a new manager in charge.

“I know results haven’t gone their way so far this season but the draw they picked up at home to Finn Harps should act as a warning to us.

“We need to be fully professional and get back to the performance levels that we know we’re capable of.”

Drogheda have no suspensions to report but both Lloyd Buckley and Luke Gallagher are doubts with minor injuries.

Referee: Marc Lynch

MATCH STATS

Drogheda United kicked off their home league campaign against Athlone in March and romped home to a 6-0 victory.

BETTING

Athlone Town 17/1; Draw 9/1; Drogheda United 1/18.

PREDICTION

Athlone Town 0 – 4 Drogheda United

Athlone Town

Injured: Unavailable.

Doubtful: Unavailable.

Suspended: None.

Drogheda United

Injured: None.

Doubtful: Lloyd Buckley, Luke Gallagher.

Suspended: None.