Preview: Drogheda United vs. St Patrick's Athletic - prediction, team news, lineups

St Patrick's Athletic will travel to Weavers Park for Friday's League of Ireland Premier Division clash with Drogheda United.

The visitors are currently sitting just above the bottom two, while Drogheda are eight points adrift at the bottom of the table.

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Match preview

Having mustered 15 points from 19 matches, Drogheda have a real fight on their hands to extend their four-year stay in the Premier Division.

Their lowly position is a product of a shaky defence that has conceded 34 league goals this season - more than any other side in the top flight.

Those defensive frailties have been plain to see in their current four-game losing run which began with a 3-2 defeat against Galway United and a 4-2 loss against Waterford.

They then went on to lose 2-0 to Shamrock Rovers, before falling to a 2-1 defeat in Monday's outing against Sligo Rovers.

Those results have ultimately contributed to a five-game winless run, leaving Drogheda searching for their first victory since beating Dundalk on May 6.

While St Patrick's may not be in immediate danger, they have significant work to do if they are to preserve their top-flight status.

They may be sitting seven points clear of the danger zone, but St Patrick's have played two more games than both Dundalk and Drogheda.

The visitors are currently under the tutelage of Stephen Kenny after the former Republic of Ireland boss was appointed as Jon Daly's permanent successor last month.

Kenny has experienced a mixed start to his tenure, having seen his six competitive matches produce two wins, one draw and three defeats, including a narrow 3-2 loss in Monday's home game against Dundalk.

After failing to win their last nine competitive away matches, St Patrick's will be desperate to claim their first away win since the middle of February when they travel to Weavers Park on Friday.

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Team News

Having missed the last five matches, Drogheda defender Aaron McNally will have to be assessed ahead of Friday's contest.

Oisin Gallagher and Jack Keaney are both suspended for the away trip due to an accumulation of yellow cards.

However, attacking midfielder Darragh Markey will be available to face his former club after serving a one-match ban on Monday.

As for the visitors, they are expected to be without the services of Axel Sjoberg, Ruairi Keating and Anto Breslin.

Brandon Kavanagh and Romal Palmer dropped out of the lineup on Monday, but they could be recalled after coming off the bench to play the final half-hour against Dundalk.

Chris Forrester will continue to provide a goal threat from midfield, having scored twice in the club's last three matches.

Drogheda United possible starting lineup: Wogan; Heeney, Quinn, Cann, Kane; O'Brien, Brennan; Bawa, Malarkey, Weir; Pierrot

St Patrick's Athletic possible starting lineup: Rogers; McLaughlin, Redmond, Keeley, Turner; Forrester, Lennon; Mulraney, Melia, B Kavanagh; C Kavanagh

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We say: Drogheda United 1-2 St Patrick's Athletic

St Patrick's may have won just one of their 10 away league games this season, but a game against a struggling Drogheda side represents the perfect chance for the visitors to claim a long-awaited victory on the road.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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