League Preview: St. Patrick's Athletic -v- Drogheda United

• Simon O'Gorman
• Sun, Jun 01 2014




ST PATRICK’S ATHLETIC

The defending Champions aren’t having things all their own way this season with a four-way race for the 2014 title developing around them. And with Liam Buckley’s men lying fourth in the table, six points behind the leaders Dundalk, they have a bit of work to do if they are to retain their crown.

 

Last Friday’s impressive win against Derry City was a welcome return to form after St. Pat’s had drawn away to UCD and then lost away at Limerick FC. With those five points dropped on the road, The Saints are enjoying being back on home soil where they have won six of their eight league games this year.

 

Perhaps the most heartening aspect of Pat’s play this season has been the form of striker Christy Fagan. Often criticised for their lack of ruthlessness  in front of goal, Pat’s have benefited from Fagan’s 12 league goals, while wide-men Chris Forrester and Conan Byrne have chipped in with another 12; good stats by anyone’s standards.

 

At the other end Pat’s have struggled a bit, with only four clean-sheets from 15 league games. Buckley’s side have conceded twice in four of their last five league outings, hinting that the departure of Conor Kenna has hit their defensive stability rather more than might have been predicted.

 

Buckley will again be without central defender Derek Foran, as he remains sidelined through injury, but fellow defender Ken Oman will be available having missed the Derry game due to the arrival of his baby. Midfielder Greg Bolger will have to undergo a late fitness test before he can be passed fit.

 

DROGHEDA UNITED

After a strong start to the league season Drogheda have been having a horrible time of it lately. Eight defeats from their last nine league outings tells its own story and the psychological damage of a 7-0 mauling by derby rivals Dundalk may prove particularly harmful.

 

Manager Robbie Horgan came into the season with a somewhat thin squad leaving him with limited options when it comes to making changes. And he hasn’t been helped by a series of red cards and the suspensions that have come with them.

 

The bald facts are that his defence have conceded 13 goals in their last three league games and a whopping 27 in their last nine. Cork City, St Patrick’s Athletic, Shamrock Rovers, Dundalk and Limerick have all scored three-or-more against the Drogs over the last six weeks and defensive confidence must be perilously low.

 

Up front, Fabio O’Brien has done well to score eight times this season but even he has only netted once in the last nine league matches. 

 

When times are hard priorities narrow, and Drogheda will look to pick up points against those nearest them in the table. With that in mind, last weekend’s heavy defeat to Limerick will have been particularly alarming. This game against the current champions might well be written off by the Drogs support but Horgan will be desperate to see some signs of fight from his side with a must-win tie against bottom of the table Athlone Town next up.

 

Horgan will be without regular left back Shane Grimes who is suspended and he will also be missing the injured duo of goalkeeper Micheal Schlingermann and midfielder Stephen Maher. Ciaran McGuigan will also be absent due to work commitments.

 

Referee: David McKeon

 

 

MATCH STATS

St Pat’s are the second highest scorers in the 2014 Premier Division with 32, while Drogheda have the leakiest defence having conceded 34 times.

 

St Pat’s have already had a 4-0 win against Drogheda this year and they won seven of the nine points available when the teams met last season.

 

St Pat’s have failed to score just three times in 23 league and cup games this season. Somewhat surprisingly, Drogheda have failed to score just four times in their 18 league and cup matches.

 

 

BETTING

St Pats 3/10; Draw 7/2; Drogheda 8/1.

 

PREDICTION

St Pats 3 - 0 Drogheda United

 

 

St Patrick’s Ath

Injured: Derek Foran.
Doubtful: Greg Bolger.
Suspended: None.

 

Drogheda United

Injured: Micheal Schlingermann, Stephen Maher.
Doubtful: None.
Unavailable: Ciaran McGuigan.
Suspended: Shane Grimes.