On Friday night, Drogheda United host Waterford United at United Park, as the home side look to boost their faltering challenge for a European spot in the Irish Premier Division.
Drogheda needs to start gaining ground on the top three if they are to have any hope of European football next season.
They are fifth-place in the table, eight points outside the continental qualification spots for next season. However, Tim Clancy’s team have played an extra game than third place Sligo Rovers this season.
A recent poor run of form in the Premier Division has hindered their European hopes, as United have now claimed victory in just one of their last six league outings. They even exited the FAI Cup last time out after a penalty kick defeat against Derry.
Drogheda’s recent home form in the league has been inconsistent. However, a record of three wins in their last nine Premier Division matches on home soil certainly doesn’t scream European challengers.
Waterford are currently in the relegation play-off spot in the Irish top-flight but are now just a point from the safety of eighth-place after back-to-back victories over Finn Harps and Sligo Rovers. A bonus was that they also recorded two straight clean sheets. The visitors have now suffered just one defeat in their last five Premier Division games after a torrid start to the campaign.
Their recent league outings have been low-scoring, with under 2.5 goals scored in their last four matches in the Irish top-flight.
Marc Bircham’s team’s away form has also improved of late, as the visitors have now won three of their last four league games on their travels.
Forebet predicts that Waterford’s recent good run of form will end in this clash, with the Drogheda recording a victory in a high-scoring encounter.