Bitesize Prediction: Drogheda vs St. Patrick’s Athletic – 07/06/24

Competition: Irish Premier Division

Market: Both teams to score

Odds: 8/11 @ BetUS

Two sides who find themselves scrapping it out at the foot of the Premier Division table, Drogheda will welcome St. Patrick’s to Weavers Park on Friday night.

Starting with the hosts, while Drogheda might have managed to keep hold of their Premier Division status last season, Kevin Doherty’s men have an almighty job on their hands this time around. Last seen earlier in the week slipping to a 2-1 loss away at Sligo Rovers, the former Shelbourne boss appears to have a major job on his hands this year. Signing off May with a routine 2-0 defeat at home against defending champions Shamrock Rovers, the Drogs sit rock-bottom of the table and are already pencilled in as a standout relegation contender this season. Opening Friday’s showdown sat eight points adrift of top-flight safety, Drogheda are at the heart of what has been a mounting crisis. Including an action-packed 4-2 defeat at the hands of Waterford last month, Doherty’s side have lost all of their previous four Premier Division appearances by an aggregate score of 11-5. It should also be noted, the County Louth-based outfit have failed to record a single top-flight clean sheet since way back on April 1st.

As for the visitors, although St. Patrick’s might have sprung a real upset last season as they secured a bronze medal finish among Ireland’s elite, Stephen Kenny’s men have come crashing back down to earth this time around. Making an immediate return to losing ways earlier in the week as they slumped to a 3-2 defeat at home against Dundalk, the Athletic are suddenly looking over their shoulder at a looming relegation scrap in 2024. Despite signing off May with a crucial 2-1 win at home against Galway, that is the only victory that Kenny’s downbeat squad have collected from any of their previous seven Premier Division appearances. Failing to find any kind of stability since opening up the new campaign, St. Patrick’s have also gained a reputation for their extended defensive struggles. Including a 2-1 loss against Shelbourne on May 20th, Friday’s guests have failed to muster a single clean sheet over the past month.

Bet: Both teams to score at Drogheda vs St. Patrick’s Athletic 8/11 for Friday’s Irish Premier Division matchup @ BetUS