Drogheda United -v- St. Patrick's Athletic

DROGHEDA UNITED

Drogheda United are currently riding on the crest of a wave as they find themselves in joint second in the Premier Division table while also earning themselves a place in the EA Sports Cup  quarter-finals.

The former Mons manager visited his old stomping ground on Friday night and it was another former Mons player, Declan O’Brien, who secured all three points for the Boynesiders. It was a hard fought win by Drogheda who were reduced to 10 men with an entire half to play after Ryan Brennan was dismissed.

The Louth side followed that up with a cup win over Bohemians at Hunky Dorys Park on Tuesday night. A radically changed side took to the pitch were they fought back from one down to win eventually 4-3 on penalties.

Mick Cooke will be without captain Paul Crowley and the suspended Ryan Brennan for the game. Cathal Brady remains the only long term absentee.

Speaking ahead of the game the Drogheda United manager is under no illusions that despite their good form they are going to be up against it when Pats come to town.

“Pats train every day and in my eyes they are a full time outfit. There won't be many teams who can do to Shamrock Rovers what they did to them on Friday night and we know we will have a game on our hands. They will be buoyant after that win and they have yet to be beaten in the league.

“Liam Buckley's teams traditionally play good football and I want my side to play good football also, so I think it's going to be a very open game and it should be entertaining to watch.“

ST PATRICK'S ATHLETIC

Liam Buckley’s side are one of two unbeaten teams in the league so far, surprisingly the other isn’t Shamrock Rovers. Pats’ handed out the shock result of the season so far when they beat the league champions 5-1 at Richmond on Friday night.

Former Bohs player Chris Forrester netted a double and has become somewhat of a Youtube sensation for his sublime chipped goal. Buckley’s side are fourth in the table, a point behind Drogheda United.

The Inchicore side followed up their win on Friday with a 2-1 against UCD in the EA Sports Cup on Monday night. It may not have been as impressive as their victory over Rovers, but it was still a domineering win.

The former Sporting Fingal manager has no injury worries ahead of the game and will have a fully fit squad to pick from. Aidan Price is the only long term absentee at Richmond, but he is making good recovery progress.

Liam Buckley as said that all their good work so far will be for nothing if they cannot reproduce this form week in and week out.

Speaking to www.stpatsfc.com the manager said “"We're looking for a consistency in terms of performances from the group, and if we get that, I'll be very pleased. 

"I know there's goals in the team and a lot of quality but we have to knuckle down in every game, and we've learned that the hard way already having had a few draws lately."We have to apply ourselves right because if we don't, teams will punish us." 

Talking about his opponents, Buckley said "They've started the season particularly well, but more importantly they're above us, so far from our end of it, we'll have to apply ourselves right, which hopefully we'll do." 

Referee: Derek Tomney.

MATCH STATS

The minimum number of goals scored in games between these two last season was three and no game finished in a draw.

Chris Forrester and Christy Fagan have scored four each for Pats this season while Declan O’Brien has netted four for Drogheda

Pats have only won one away league game so far this season while Drogheda have won once at home in all competitions in 90 minutes. 

BETTING

Drogheda United 11/4; Draw 9/4; St Pats 5/4.

PREDICTION

Given both sides good form this is tough to call, but Pats to win 3-2.

Drogheda United Injury News: Paul Crowley, Cathal Brady.

Drogheda United Suspension News: Ryan Brennan.

St Pats Injury News: Aidan Price (Long term).

St Pats Suspension News: None.