Friday, March 29, 2024

Prediction: St Patrick’s Athletic vs Drogheda United

Tom Dunstan in Free Soccer Predictions 15 Jul 2021

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Verdict: St Patrick’s Athletic win

Best Odds: 3/5

Bookmaker: Unibet

Looking to make it back-to-back Premier Division victories this weekend, St Patrick’s Athletic will welcome Drogheda to Richmond Park on Friday night.

St Patrick’s Athletic

Starting with the hosts, while St Patrick’s Athletic would have been disappointed by that action-packed 3-2 defeat against Bohemians on the road earlier in the month, The Saints managed to bounce back last time out. While they might have struggled to find top gear, Alan Mathews’ men picked up a 1-0 victory against Derry City last weekend on home soil and they find themselves sat in pole position to secure a European spot. Holding a commanding eight-point buffer from dropping out of the top-three, the mood in St Patrick’s camp should be at a real high. Eventually seeing out last week’s victory with 10-men, Mathews’ side have continued to gain a string of plaudits from across the Premier Division this season. With just a single top-flight defeat to their name in their previous six top-flight contests, a run that stems back to the end of May, Friday’s hosts have also continued to shine on home soil. It should be noted that St Patrick’s have won their last three home fixtures on the spin by an aggregate score of 7-1.

Team News

After being shown two yellow cards against Derry last week, midfielder Jamie Lennon will miss out due to suspension on Friday night.

Limping off in the first-half against Derry, St Patrick’s are still sweating over the fitness of Ronan Coughlan.

Drogheda United

As for the visitors, while Drogheda might find themselves enjoying a three-match Premier Division unbeaten run, it doesn’t quite tell the whole story. Despite making the trip to leading relegation contenders Longford Town last weekend smelling a golden chance, The Drogs had to settle for what was a sluggish 1-1 draw on the road, a result that left many in their camp frustrated. Knowing that they missed a real chance to make up some ground in the European race and still sat eight points adrift of Friday’s hosts, Tim Clancy’s men have largely failed to build off of that 3-1 win against the Finn Harps earlier in the month. Including what was a woeful 5-0 drumming at the hands of Bohemians on June 18th, Drogheda have managed to win just one of their previous five Premier Division matchups. it should also be noted, without a win in any of their last three contests away from Head In The Game Park, that is their worst competitive away run since March 2019.

Team News

After recording four goals in his last six Premier Division matchups, Chris Lyons will lead Drogheda’s line on Friday night.

Head Coach Tim Clancy has now fresh injury concerns as they travel to Richmond Park this weekend.

Key Factors to Consider

    • Last seen picking up a 1-0 win against Derry City, St Patrick’s Athletic have lost just one of their last six Premier Divison matchups.
    • Likewise, Friday’s hosts have won their last three home fixtures by an aggregate score of 7-1.
    • Drogheda have managed to win just one of their last five Premier Division matchups.
    • The Drogs have also failed to win any of their last three contests on the road, their worst run since March 2019.
    • Seven of Drogheda’s last eight top-flight contests have finished with over 1.5 goals.

    Conclusion

    Managing to make an immediate return to winning ways thanks to a 1-0 victory against Derry last weekend, St Patrick’s Athletic should be smelling a real chance to only extend their buffer in the European spots. Bouncing back from that action-packed defeat against Bohemians earlier in the month, Friday’s hosts have continued to impress with their showings on home soil. Winning each of their previous three matchups at Richmond Park by an aggregate score of 7-1, a struggling Drogheda might face another tough test on the road this weekend. With just a single Premier Division win in their last five attempts and having to settle for a point against a rock-bottom Longford last time out, we’re backing a home victory here.

    Verdict: St Patrick’s Athletic win

    Best Odds: 3/5

    Bookmaker: Unibet

    ABOUT THE AUTHOR

    Tom Dunstan


    Formerly of The Independent, Tom has spent the past six years as one of our senior writers and betting experts. Alongside working with numerous publications from across the globe, Tom also graduated from the University of Falmouth in 2014 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Digital Media.
    Spending almost the past decade working in countries such as Australia, New Zealand and Canada, he has also spent time featuring in sports radio. Tom can be followed on Instagram - @iamtomdunstan

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