19.45 28 Aug 2015 -
Referee:
League Preview: Drogheda United -v- Limerick
- Dave Donnelly
- Thu, Aug 27 2015
Drogheda United
Drogheda United will look to arrest a startling decline in form when they welcome upwardly-mobile Limerick to United Park on Friday evening (kick-off 7.45pm).
Johnny McDonnell's men have managed just two points from the last 21 since their win over Bohemians at the end of the June, a run that has seen his side slide to within one point of the relegation play-off spot, and just seven points clear of Friday's opponents at the bottom.
McDonnell told the club's website: “Everyone from Longford Town downwards are firmly in the relegation mix. We’ve been in the mix for most of the season so that might stand to us in the end as both Longford and Galway looked to be safe a few weeks ago.
“Limerick are in great form at the moment and they are free scoring. Any team that goes down to Cork and wins 3-2 has to be respected.
“I know Martin likes to have his sides get the ball on the ground and play but we’ve already beaten them this season so hopefully we can repeat the trick tomorrow night.”
McDonnell will have new signings Roddy Collins, Jr and ex-Irish international Keith Treacy available for selection following their returns from England, but Robert Bayly will serve an additional game's suspension after being sent off against Sligo.
LIMERICK
Bottom-placed Limerick's three-match winning run came to an end two weeks ago, but a draw at home to Longford Town continues their unbeaten form, and Martin Russell's side will arrive in Drogheda high on confidence.
“We’ll continue to try and play in an attacking way, but we’ve got to defend better and try not to concede,” Russell told the club website.
“The recent results we’ve got, we got because we have been brave. We have gone to win the games and I think there’s a formula there that, if we keep at it, will see us right.
“I think anybody that’s within the seven-point radius of us can’t see themselves as being safe. We’ve got to play them and they’ve got to play each other, so I think there will be twists and turns right up to the end and we want to be in there at the end.”
Limerick will be without captain Shane Duggan after he picked up his fifth yellow card of the season against Longford, while fellow midfielder Prince Agyemang continues to miss out with a knee injury.
Referee: James McKell.
MATCH STATS
Drogheda United and Limerick have met twice this season. Sean Thornton's late goal salvaged a draw for the home side at United Park, before Drogheda triumphed 2-1 in Limerick's first game back at Markets Field in June.
BETTING
Drogheda United 7/5; Draw 23/10; Limerick 15/8.
PREDICTION
Drogheda United 2 – 4 Limerick.
Drogheda United
Injured: None.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: Robert Bayly.
Limerick
Injured: Prince Agyemang (knee).
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: Shane Duggan.