Preview: Cork City vs. Drogheda United - prediction, team news, lineups

Cork, who sit ninth in the table, have lost their last two league games, while Drogheda have been beaten in three of their last four domestic matches, with the visitors currently occupying seventh position.

Match preview

Cork secured a return to the top flight by winning the First Division last season, so their main goal for this term is to avoid relegation, meaning that eighth or higher would represent a strong campaign.

City are currently in ninth position, though, having picked up 21 points from their opening 21 games of the season courtesy of a record of six wins, three draws and 12 defeats.

Liam Buckley's side actually won four straight league games between May 19 and June 5, but they have now lost their last two against Dundalk and Derry City.

It is close in the positions just outside the relegation zone, with Cork only two points behind seventh-placed Drogheda, which is an indication of the importance of this match.

City have also performed relatively strongly at home this season, picking up 16 points from 11 matches, so they will be pleased to be back in front of their own fans for this contest.

Drogheda, meanwhile, will enter this match off the back of a 2-1 home defeat to Dundalk on June 23, which made it three losses from their last four league games.

United, who finished eighth in the top division last season, are currently seventh in the table, level on points with eight-placed Sligo Rovers and just two clear of Cork.

University College Dublin have been cut adrift at the bottom of the table, sitting 14 points from eighth position, but Cork, Sligo Rovers and Drogheda are all close in the positions above.

Kevin Doherty's side have picked up 12 points on their travels this term, which is actually more than they have managed in front of their own supporters (11).

Drogheda, who won the League of Ireland Premier Division in 2007, have not beaten Cork in the top flight since March 2012, though, which is a run that stretches back 16 matches.

Cork City League of Ireland Premier form:

W

W

W

W

L

L

Drogheda United League of Ireland Premier form:

W

W

L

L

W

L

Team News

Cork have four injury absentees for this match, with Ethon Varian, Jonas Hakkinen, Darragh Crowley and Albin Winbo all on the sidelines.

Ruairi Keating has been the team's main source of goals this season, finding the back of the net on seven occasions in 21 appearances, and he will again feature in the final third.

Head coach Buckley is expected to resist the temptation to shuffle his pack despite the 2-0 loss at Derry last time out, but there could be a change in the final third, with Tunde Owolabi emerging as an injury doubt, so Cian Murphy could be in line for a start alongside Keating.

Drogheda, meanwhile, will be without the services of Freddie Draper through suspension, which is a huge blow considering that he has scored eight times for the team this season.

Draper's ban is expected to open the door for Michael Leddy to come into the side, although the 19-year-old is yet to get off the mark in terms of goals this season.

There are unlikely to be any surprises elsewhere, with Adam Foley and Darragh Markey, who have scored six times between them this season, again featuring in attacking areas.

Cork City possible starting lineup:

Corcoran; Honohan, Gilchrist, Coleman; Walker, Custovic, Healy, O'Donovan; Murphy, Bolger, Keating

Drogheda United possible starting lineup:

Wogan; Ahui, Adegboyega, Kelley, McNally; Deegan, Heeney; Markey, Rooney, Foley; Leddy

We say: Cork City 1-0 Drogheda United

Draper's absence for the visitors is a huge advantage for Cork, and the home side's recent record against Drogheda cannot be overlooked. Cork were 1-0 winners when the pair locked horns at the start of June, and we are backing the same scoreline to occur in Friday evening's contest.

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