Derry City vs Drogheda United predictions for their meeting in the League of Ireland Premier Division. Derry City aim for their fourth consecutive League of Ireland Premier Division win as they host struggling Drogheda United on Friday night. Read on for our free match preview and betting tips.

League of Ireland Premier | Jun 28, 2024 at 7.45pm UK at The Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium

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Derry City vs Drogheda United Predictions

Can Derry City Maintain Their Winning Momentum Against Drogheda United?

Derry City aim to extend their impressive run in the League of Ireland Premier Division as they host Drogheda United at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium on Friday night. The home team, currently in second place, are keen to close the gap on league leaders Shelbourne, while Drogheda United, languishing at the bottom of the table, desperately need points to climb out of the relegation zone.

Team Form and Recent Performances

Derry City have been in exceptional form recently, securing victories in their last three league matches against Waterford, Galway United, and Bohemians. Their solid run has left them just two points behind the leaders Shelbourne, although Shelbourne have a game in hand. This season, Derry have managed 11 wins, eight draws, and four defeats from 23 matches, illustrating a well-balanced team that is hard to beat.

In stark contrast, Drogheda United have had a dismal campaign. With only 16 points from 21 matches, they find themselves at the bottom of the league. Their form has been particularly concerning, with their last victory coming against Dundalk at the start of May. Since then, they have failed to win in seven consecutive league matches, suffering five defeats in the process. Their away record is the worst in the division, with just three points garnered from 11 games on the road.

Expected Lineups and Tactical Approaches

Derry City’s Predicted XI:

• Maher
• Dummigan, Connolly, McEleney, Doherty
• O’Reilly, Diallo
• McMullan, Patching, Duffy
• Hoban

Drogheda United’s Predicted XI:

• Wogan
• Heeney, Quinn, Keaney, Kane
• Brennan, O’Brien
• Foley, Markey, Weir
• Pierrot

Derry City are expected to maintain their attacking formation, leveraging their home advantage. They will likely look to dominate possession and create scoring opportunities through their key attackers, with Hoban leading the line supported by creative midfielders like Patching and McMullan.

Drogheda United will probably adopt a more defensive stance, aiming to frustrate Derry’s offensive efforts and hit them on the counter-attack. Given their poor defensive record, they need to be exceptionally disciplined at the back to have any chance of salvaging points from this encounter.

Key Areas and Player Duels

The midfield battle will be critical in this match. Derry’s midfield, featuring the likes of O’Reilly and Diallo, will need to control the tempo and distribution, effectively breaking down Drogheda’s attempts to disrupt their play. This duel will be pivotal as Drogheda’s Markey and O’Brien will try to stifle Derry’s creativity and launch counter-attacks.

In defence, Derry’s Connolly will be tasked with keeping Drogheda’s Pierrot quiet. Connolly’s aerial ability and positional awareness will be essential in neutralising Pierrot’s threat, particularly during set-pieces where Drogheda may see their best chances.

Gameplay Expectations

Derry City will likely dominate the attacking play, reflecting their season average of 13.1 shots per game, with 4.1 of those on target. Their strategy will be to press high, maintain possession, and create numerous scoring opportunities. Drogheda United, on the other hand, will focus on defensive solidity, looking to absorb pressure and exploit any gaps on the break.

Critique of Drogheda United’s Approach and Managerial Tactics

Drogheda United’s tactics and overall approach this season have been underwhelming. Their defensive strategy has been particularly ineffective, leading to the highest number of goals conceded in the league. The inability of the management to adapt and address these glaring weaknesses has been evident, and their persistence with a formation that leaves them exposed at the back is questionable. This tactical rigidity has contributed significantly to their poor run of results.

Pros and Cons of Both Teams’ Strategies

Derry City’s Strengths:

• Strong home form
• Effective attacking play
• Solid defensive record

Derry City’s Weaknesses:

• Occasional reliance on key players for goals

Drogheda United’s Strengths:

• Ability to counter-attack
• Physical presence in midfield

Drogheda United’s Weaknesses:

• Leaky defence
• Inconsistent performances

Potential Betting Angles

Given the contrasting forms of the two teams, betting on Derry City to win to nil appears to be a strong option. Their solid defensive record and Drogheda’s lack of attacking threat on the road support this prediction. Additionally, betting on Derry to score multiple goals could also be favourable, considering their attacking statistics and Drogheda’s defensive frailties.

Predictions

Best Bet: Derry City to Win to Nil Derry City’s superior form and Drogheda’s struggles, particularly in attack, suggest a comfortable victory for the hosts. Their ability to keep clean sheets at home, combined with Drogheda’s poor scoring record on the road, supports this prediction.

Correct Score Prediction: Derry City 2-0 Drogheda United Given Derry’s attacking capabilities and Drogheda’s defensive weaknesses, a 2-0 scoreline seems likely. This aligns with Derry’s average goals per game and their recent home performances.

Goalscorer Prediction: Pat Hoban to Score Anytime Hoban’s form and goal-scoring prowess make him a prime candidate to find the net. His role as the focal point of Derry’s attack means he is likely to get several opportunities to score.

Team to Score First: Derry City Derry’s strong start in matches and their overall attacking intent suggest they will open the scoring. Drogheda’s tendency to concede early goals further supports this prediction.

Innovative Market: Total Team Shots on Target Over 5.5 for Derry City Considering Derry’s average of 4.1 shots on target per game and their dominance at home, betting on them to exceed this number is logical. Their offensive approach and Drogheda’s defensive issues make this a feasible market.

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