League Preview: Drogheda United -v- Dundalk

It’s Louth derby time once again, as Dundalk are the visitors at Drogheda’s United Park. Due to the match being shown on Setanta Sports, kick-off is 8.05pm this Friday.

DROGHEDA UNITED

Drogheda will be hoping to put a dent in Dundalk’s title hopes when they face each other for the second time this season. Drogheda’s recent good form has seen the club go from relegation trouble in tenth place, after a 2-0 loss to strugglers Sligo Rovers, to going unbeaten in four and leading the lower pack in sixth after last week’s surprise victory over Bohemians.

The 1-0 win over Bohemians saw Tiarnán Mulvenna score his second goal for the club, which sees him tied with Sean Thornton, Michael Daly and Lloyd Buckley in second place as the highest goalscorer at Drogheda United. The goals have certainly been spread out as although they’ve scored nineteen this season, top scorer Lee Duffy has only netted four times.

Eleven of those goals have come in their last seven games, resulting in four victories and one draw, which shows the considerable upturn in form as the eleven league games before that yielded eight goals, which saw Drogheda only pick up eight points through two wins in their first two games and two draws.

In terms of team news, Drogheda United have continued to be busy in the now open transfer window. Midfielder James Daly has joined from Metropolitan Police FC and will be hoping, like fellow new signing Manuel Kaguako, to make his debut in the Dundalk game. Meanwhile, defender Neil Yadolahi has followed Daryl Kavanagh, Matthew Rooney and Michael Scott in leaving the club. Shane Dunne is still suspended.

DUNDALK

European dreams will have to wait another week for Dundalk as they face two tough away fixtures in the league before their trip to BATE Borisov. The Lilywhites are only three points ahead of Cork City at the top of the table, although Cork have played a game extra, and the team will be hoping for a repeat of their goalscoring feats against Limerick last weekend.

Captain Stephen O’Donnell spoke to dundalkfc.com and said that the team was “happy with the way the game went against Limerick”, which ended with them coming away with three points after a 6-2 victory, although he was quick to say, “It wasn’t like us to concede two goals like we did but it wasn’t that important.”

Speaking ahead of upcoming match, the midfielder said, “We are looking forward to it and are going to United Park in a positive frame of mind.” Stephen Kenny also spoke to the club’s website and acknowledged that, “We will get a really difficult game in the Louth derby. We wouldn’t expect anything else.” The Dundalk manager then echoed his captain’s remarks by saying, “the players are in good form and we’re looking forward to it.”

Dundalk will have a full squad to choose from as O’Donnell, Brain Gartland and Darren Meenan all came through the Limerick match unscathed.

Referee:Dave McKeon

MATCH STATS

The earlier league meeting this season saw Dundalk escape with a 1-0 win in April. Richard Towell scored an eighty-eighth minute winner to seal the points for the Lilywhites.

Drogheda United also beat Bohemians 1-0 last season before meeting Dundalk in their next league game. They went on to lose 7-0, the worst defeat they’ve had in recent seasons.

If new signings James Daly and Manuel Kaguako will become the twenty fourth and twenty fifth players used by Drogheda this season if they play a part in the match, the highest amount so far this season.

BETTING

Drogheda United 9/1; Draw 7/2; Dundalk 1/3.

PREDICTION

Drogheda 1-4 Dundalk

Drogheda United

Injured: None.

Doubtful:Mark Hughes, Sean Thornton.

Suspended:Shane Dunne .

Dundalk

Injured:None.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended:None.