Drogheda United return to Weavers Park this Friday aiming to bounce again from a slender loss to Shamrock Rovers, as they host struggling Sligo Rovers in a vital League of Eire Premier Division conflict. The guests are preventing to keep away from slipping into the relegation zone, whereas the house facet look to maintain tempo within the high three.
Match Overview
Drogheda United at present sit third within the desk with 31 factors from 21 video games—a powerful leap from final season’s ninth-place end. Kevin Doherty’s males had been unbeaten in seven video games earlier than their latest 2-1 loss to title-chasing Shamrock Rovers.
The Claret and Blues have turned Weavers Park right into a troublesome floor for opponents, amassing 16 factors from 10 residence matches and placing up a number of memorable performances, together with a 7-0 thrashing of Sligo final 12 months. Their final assembly resulted in an exhilarating 2-2 draw, and one other tight contest is predicted.
Sligo Rovers, in the meantime, stay in a precarious place, occupying ninth with simply 15 factors from 19 matches. Regardless of their latest 1-0 win over Waterford, John Russell’s males have misplaced 5 of their final seven league outings, struggling for consistency all through the marketing campaign.
Staff Information
Drogheda are anticipated to stay with their attacking pair of Thomas Oluwa and Douglas James-Taylor. Oluwa, with 5 objectives this season, will look to stretch Sligo’s defence, whereas James-Taylor continues to seek for kind in entrance of aim.
Midfield dynamo Luke Heeney ought to return to anchor the midfield trio alongside Darragh Markey and Warren Farrell, offering the power and link-up play Drogheda thrive on.
For Sligo, Oliver Denham stays a doubt with a muscle pressure, however they are going to rely closely on high scorer Owen Elding, who has netted seven occasions this season. Wilson Waweru is predicted to begin alongside him up entrance, hoping so as to add to his solitary aim in 2025.
Tactical Evaluate
Drogheda’s construction below Doherty has remained disciplined, with overlapping fullbacks and a hardworking midfield core. At residence, they have a tendency to press increased and generate probabilities from broad areas.
Sligo, alternatively, try to stabilise defensively after latest lapses. Their 4-4-2 form can turn into uncovered in transition, so anticipate them to take a seat deeper and attempt to hit Drogheda on the break via Elding’s tempo and Fitzgerald’s creativity.
Methods to Watch
This League of Eire Premier Division encounter shall be out there for streaming on LOITV, with kickoff set for 7:45 PM native time (8:45 PM WAT).
Predictions
Softfootball Prediction: Drogheda United 2-1 Sligo Rovers
Whereas Sligo have proven indicators of enchancment, Drogheda’s residence kind and stronger all-around squad ought to see them edge a decent encounter. Count on each side to attain, however the hosts to take the factors.