UCD v Drogheda Utd

UCD vs Drogheda United Preview

UCD will play host to Drogheda United at the UCD Bowl on Friday night with the hosts staring down the barrel at almost certain relegation from the Irish Premier Division following two heavy defeats that have cast them adrift at the bottom of the table and Drogheda United will be eager to exploit UCD's leaky defence as the visitors look to pull away from the relegation play-off spot.

Back-to-back defeats to St Patrick's Athletic 7-0 and a 4-0 rout at home to Shelbourne have left UCD 16 points adrift of safety in the domestic top flight table and although there's still 13 league matches remaining of the season, it's looking increasingly likely that UCD will fall through the trap-door and down into the 1st Division.

UCD did manage to register a rare win a couple of weeks ago in the shape of a 2-1 home win against Sligo Rovers but that has been the hosts' only highlight in an otherwise barren and disastrous 13-match period.

Having also suffered 11 defeats within this recent poor sequence of results, there appears to be little hope for UCD ahead of this upcoming clash with Drogheda United, although seven of UCD's last 13 games have resulted in both teams scoring.

Drogheda United currently occupy third from bottom in the Irish Premier Division and whilst the visitors hold a comfortable 16-point cushion above UCD, only two points separate them from second from bottom club, Cork City, and the relegation play-off spot prior to Friday's action.

Drogheda United have also had to endure a tough and disappointing season to date in the domestic top flight but in contrast to UCD's struggles, the visitors look comfortable at the moment despite picking up just three wins from their previous 15 matches overall.

Eight losses within this period have prevented Drogheda from lifting themselves further away from the lower reaches of the division but having collected wins against league leaders, Shamrock Rovers, a 3-1 win at home versus UCD and a 2-1 victory over St Patrick's Athletic, the visitors do look the better equipped of these two clubs to take the three points here on Friday night.

Goals also look likely, particularly for both teams as seven of Drogheda United's last 10 outings on the road have resulted in both teams hitting the back of the net.

UCD v Drogheda United Verdict

The goals market appeals in this upcoming fixture between UCD and Drogheda United especially as the odds for an away win here are so slim, but previous history suggests goals for both sides are likely in this upcoming encounter as three of the previous four meetings have seen both teams score.

Therefore, our main bet will be Both Teams To Score Yes @ 1.95

Other side bets worth considering:

Draw @ 4.50

Correct score: 1-1 @ 9.00