Preview: Drogheda United vs. Sligo Rovers - prediction, team news, lineups

These two teams locked horns in the first round of the FAI Cup last Friday, with Drogheda progressing to the next round of the competition courtesy of a 2-1 success.

Match preview

Drogheda fell behind in the FAI Cup contest last Friday, with Max Mata's 41st-minute penalty sending the visitors ahead at Weavers Park, but Adam Foley levelled the scores before Ryan Brennan won it from the penalty spot in the 80th minute of the first-round clash.

The Drogs will now switch their attention back to the league, where they sit eighth in the table, boasting 28 points from their opening 24 matches of the season with a record of seven wins, seven draws and 10 losses.

Kevin Doherty's side, who finished eighth in the top flight last term, were last in league action on July 14, running out 3-1 winners over University College Dublin.

Drogheda are actually unbeaten in the League of Ireland Premier Division since June 23, picking up five points from their last three matches at this level of football.

United have found it difficult to show their best form at home this season, though, only collecting 12 points from their 12 matches in front of their own supporters.

Sligo, meanwhile, were last in league action on July 15, recording a 3-0 victory over Cork City, which made it two wins from their last three league matches.

John Russell's side finished fifth in the top flight last term but have found it more difficult this term, only picking up 29 points from their opening 24 matches of the campaign.

Sligo currently sit seventh in the table, one point ahead of Drogheda and only six clear of ninth-placed Cork, which is an indication of the importance of this contest.

Rovers are six points behind sixth-placed Shelbourne, but their recent run in the league should hand them confidence, and the visitors will be looking for revenge on Drogheda following the FAI Cup loss.

Sligo can take heart from Drogheda's poor home form, but Russell's team have only won three of their 12 league matches away from their own supporters during the 2023 campaign.

Drogheda United League of Ireland Premier form:

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Sligo Rovers League of Ireland Premier form:

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Team News

Drogheda will again have Foley in their starting side on Friday, with the 33-year-old finding the back of the net on five occasions during a successful campaign.

Head coach Doherty has options to make changes in the final third, but it would not be a surprise to see the same XI that took to the field for the first whistle against UCD in the league last time out.

As a result, a 4-2-3-1 formation should see Foley play off the right, with Brennan set to retain his spot at centre-forward, having now scored in his last two appearances.

Sligo, meanwhile, have no fresh injury concerns ahead of this contest, and there are not expected to be any major surprises when it comes to their starting side.

Mata has been in excellent form this season, finding the back of the net on 11 occasions in the league, and he will again operate in the final third of the field for the visitors.

Stefan Radosavljevic is actually the second-highest goalscorer in the squad with three, and the 22-year-old is also set to keep hold of his starting role for Russell's side.

Drogheda United possible starting lineup:

Wogan; Heeney, Adegboyega, Keeley, Weir; Noone, Deegan; Foley, Markey, Rooney; Brennan

Sligo Rovers possible starting lineup:

McNicholas; Mahon, Pijnaker, Lafferty; Brannefalk, Morahan, Bolger, Fitzgerald; Livak; Mata, Radosavljevic

We say: Drogheda United 1-1 Sligo Rovers

This is a really difficult match to call, especially just a week after the two sides met in the cup. A case can be made for either team to win it, but we are expecting a tight match and have therefore had to settle on a low-scoring draw in the League of Ireland Premier Division contest.

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