League Preview: Galway United -v- Drogheda United

GALWAY UNITED

The Tribesmen return to action on Tuesday night when they host Drogheda United in Eamonn Deacy Park in the First Division (kick-off 7.45pm).

United had their season interrupted after two players tested positive for Covid-19 earlier this month and they now face a defining week for their campaign.

The game against Drogheda is the first of three in the next seven days as the Connacht side attempt to sneak into the playoffs ahead of Cabinteely, with games against Bray Wanderers and UCD to come.

John Caulfield’s side have been turning heads of late winning six of their last seven First Division games.

“The lads are in good form. We had a good session yesterday and we’ll have another one this evening,” Caulfield said, speaking to the club’s website.

“In ways, the break has been good for us, and obviously everybody’s health is the main priority.

“We’re looking forward to the Drogheda game now, we know how good of a side they are.

“Tim Clancy has done brilliantly with them, they’ve got to the play-offs twice and they’ll be aiming to make it third time lucky by winning the league outright this season.

“Drogheda have an exceptionally strong team with a lot of Premier Division experience. You look at their backbone with Prendergast, Douglas and Lyons.

“We are up for the game and we’ve done brilliantly over the last two months, we’re looking forward to testing ourselves against the potential league champions.”

In terms of team news, Mikey Place is suspended after being sent off when the side faced Cobh Ramblers at the end of September. Donal Higgins is recovering from a hip injury and won’t play, while a number of other players are due to face late fitness tests.

The club also announced the departure of goalkeepers Matthew Clancy and Cian Mulryan along with Kevin Farragher.

DROGHEDA UNITED

Drogheda are in a similar position to Galway with three games left to play over the next week after their meeting with Wexford was postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

With a game at hand, Tim Clancy’s side are pushing to pip Bray Wanderers to the First Division title and with just five points separating the top two, the game against Galway is a must win.

The Louth side had closed the gap at the top with a three game winning streak which saw the topple Bray 1-0 at the Carlisle Grounds in September, but a disappointing loss to Athlone Town earlier this month made a major dent in their promotion hopes for 2020.

Tim Clancy will still need Bray to trip up somewhere along the way before the end of the season, but a win against Galway on Tuesday night would get them started on their run in to the end of the season.

Referee: Adriano Reale

MATCH STATS

Drogheda are five points off the top of the First Division table with a game at hand and three more matches to play.

Galway United are five points off the playoffs with two games at hand on Cabinteely and three matches to play.

The Tribesmen have won six of their last seven games.

BETTING

Galway United 6/4; Draw 12/5; Drogheda United 7/5.

PREDICTION

Galway United 1–2 Drogheda United

Galway United

Injured: Donal Higgins.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: Mikey Place.

Drogheda United

Injured: None.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: Richie O'Farrell.