Derry City vs Drogheda United Preview

Third and fourth place in the Irish Premier division go head to head with nothing to separate them, as Derry City play host to a dangerous Drogheda United.

Separated by just a singular point and place, there is much on the line as the two teams meet at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium - a win for either side would guarantee control over third spot, and could lift them as high as second should Bohemians fail to pick up maximum points against Sligo Rovers.

As the game approaches, here is everything you need to know about both sides ahead of kick-off.

Key Statistics

• Despite winning two more games than Drogheda, Derry still sit behind their rivals due to a shortage of draws. The home side have managed 4, while Drogheda have picked up 11, the most in the league.
• Both sides have conceded 22 league goals so far this season, second only to first and second Shamrock Rovers and Bohemians.
• Remarkably, Drogheda have lost the joint fewest game in the league with four, equal with Shamrock Rovers. However, frequent draws have seen their progress stutter.
• Drogheda keeper Luke Dennison tops the clean sheet standings, keeping 10 in 23 games for his side so far.

Derry City Preview

Derry City Predicted Lineup (5-3-2): Brian Maher (GK); Sam Todd, Kevin Holt, Mark Connolly, Hayden Cann, Ronan Boyce; Michael Duffy, Carl Winchester, Sadou Diallo, Gavin Whyte; Liam Boyce.

This is the second time this season Derry have been in and amongst the top four conversation. They inserted themselves for the first time back in early May after five wins in six games, but no win in the following four saw them drop back.

However, seven points from the last nine available have seen them be catapulted back into the discussion, and with Drogheda United’s recent run of one point games, there is a serious opportunity for Derry to make third place their own.

However, they must deal with the absences of Ben Doherty, Cameron Dummigan and Daniel Mullen - although given they have won their last two games without them, there seems to be a general understanding of how to deal with missing players.

Drogheda United Preview

Drogheda United Predicted Lineup (3-4-2-1):Luke Dennison (GK); Andrew Quinn, Conor Keeley, George Cooper; Conor Kane, Shane Farrell, Luke Heeney, Keiran Cruise; Ryan Brennan, Warren David; Douglas James-Taylor.

It seems that despite sitting third, 10 points behind leaders Shamrock Rovers, Drogheda appear to have forgotten how to win football games - at least they have forgotten how to win comfortably.

Five of their last eight have ended in draws, and the two wins they picked up in that time were by 1-0 margins, and both courtesy of singular James-Taylor finishes. And while they have picked up draws against Shelbourne and St Patricks Athletic, as well as beating second placed Bohemians, they have also dropped points against bottom side Cork and eighth placed Waterford.

There is inconsistency there, and while their strategy may be based around a solid defence, this is hardly a foundation for success if you cannot regularly find the net up the other end. Should their attacking output show improvement, then they will be considered a serious threat.

Derry City vs Drogheda United Head to Head

Recent Meetings:

• 16/05/2025: Drogheda 1-1 Derry.
• 11/04/2025: Derry 1-3 Drogheda.
• 10/11/2024: Drogheda 2-0 Derry.
• 27/09/2024: Drogheda 2-1 Derry.
• 28/06/2024: Derry 5-1 Drogheda.

Derry City vs Drogheda United Betting Tip

After weeks of slightly floundering but doing just enough to maintain third, Drogheda finally find themselves at risk of dropping down the table, as Derry are considered slight favourites after winning their last two fixtures.

That is why our experts have decided that the best tip for this fixture is to back Derry City to win. Odds of 1.75 on Highbet mean that a £10 stake will return £17.50 if the bet wins.

Derry City vs Drogheda United Prediction

Derry City 1-0 Drogheda United

Continuing their recent streak of 1-0 victories, Derry will snatch a crucial three points here, and will put themselves in pole position to make the “best of the rest” spot their own.