League Preview: Drogheda United -v- Longford Town

DROGHEDA UNITED

In their opening home league game of the season, Drogheda United play host to promotion rivals Longford Town at United Park (kick-off is at 7.45pm).

The Boynesiders earned a 2-0 win away to Cobh Ramblers last time out, and they will be hoping they can back that up with a big win against Longford.

In addition, they also had a far from ideal record against Longford last term, losing all the games against their promotion rivals.

“Both squads have lost some personnel and made changes. It’s very hard to see this early in the season where everyone is going to be but I’d certainly hope that we are able to have as good a season as we did last year,” Clancy told Drogs’ media team.

“I’d have no doubt that Longford would be one of the main teams at the top of the league. They’d a good win themselves on Saturday at home to Rovers II.

“It’s a big game so early in the season. It’s one we are preparing for. Hopefully we can get a good result and do better in the head to head against Longford.

“That’s where we are at. If you look at last year’s games against Longford, we’d lots of chances but didn’t take them and got punished for that.

“Hopefully this season, we can be a little bit tighter at the back and in games where it doesn’t go for us in the attacking end of the pitch, we can still come away with something out of the game.”

Luca Gratzer is set to be Drogheda’s only absentee this evening.

LONGFORD TOWN

After seeing off Shamrock Rovers II last time out, Longford Town make the trip to Co. Louth to face fellow promotion hunters Drogheda United.

Goals from both Aodh Dervin and Rob Manley earned a hard-fought win for the Midlander’s over the Hoops second string.

However, that win came at a major cost – with star man Dean Byrne being ruled out for the season with a severe ankle injury.

On Longford’s last away league excursion, they secured a pivotal 3-1 win away from home against Cobh Ramblers, with Adam Evans getting his name on the scoresheet.

Town boss Daire Doyle handed out a number of debuts last week against the Hoops second string – with Aaron McNally, Rob Manley, Dylan Hand and Joe Gorman all starting.

Meanwhile, former Shelbourne winger James English, and ex-Bluebell winger Niall Barnes also made their Longford Town bows from the bench.

Longford enjoyed the better of the side’s encounters last term – winning all three games against the Drogs.

In terms of team news, Dean Byrne is Longford’s only confirmed absentee for the trip to the East Coast.

Referee: Alan Patchell.

MATCH STATS

Longford Town secured a win in all three of the side’s games last term, with three wins out of three against Tim Clancy’s Boynesiders.

The Midlander’s saw off Drogheda United in the last clash between the teams at United Park, with forward Aaron Dobbs netting the winner.

Drogheda United’s last defeat at home came against eventual 2019 First Division winners Shelbourne in September.

BETTING

Drogheda United 11/10; Draw 23/10; Longford Town 21/10.

PREDICTION

Drogheda United 1 - 1 Longford Town

Drogheda United

Injured: Luca Gratzer.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

Longford Town

Injured: Dean Byrne.

Doubtful: None

Suspended: None