Louth Derby: Drogheda V Dundalk

In what will be the 151st Louth Derby, Drogheda United host neighbours Dundalk this Monday in Hunky Dory Park (Kick off 8Pm).

Drogheda go into this game in quite inconsistent form having lost 3-2 to Bray in the league and then beating Bohemians 3-0. Dundalk are in better form having beat Champions Sligo away 1-0 last in the league and then beating Non-League side Pheonix 4-0.
Dundalk are having the better of the two sides in the league at present with the Lilywhites sitting 4th with 27 points, 8 points ahead of their rivals Drogheda who are 6th with 19 points. This is the second derby of the season with the previous fixture back in March ending in a 2-2 thriller between the two sides.

Drogheda have won only 2 of their 7 home games so far this season, those a 3-2 win V UCD back in April and a 2-1 win over Bray Wanderers in March.
Dundalk's away form however has been extremely exceptional so far with 6 wins out of 7, including impressive wins away to Champions Sligo Rovers and current league leaders Saint Patricks Athletic.

Team News:
Drogheda are without  Captain Derek Prendergast(Ankle injury) and Eric Foley (Muscle). They are also without the services of Gabriel Sava and David Cassidy due to suspension after their sending offs in their 3-2 defeat away to Bray Wanderers.
Dundalk have to do without the suspended trio of Stephen O'Donnell, John Sullivan & Darren Meenan and may also have to do without John Mountney (Doubt). After a Long spell on the sidelines with a knee problem Chris Shields  makes his return to the Dundalk squad.

Views ahead of the game:

“We both had good wins in the cup last weekend, I think when you look at what Bohemians did to Sligo last night it makes our 3-0 win over them at Dalymount look more impressive. I think since our Setanta Cup defeat we have have put in good performances but we haven't got the results we deserved, but that win over Bohs saw us back to our best and doing what we did last year. It gave the squad a lot of confidence,”
“Dundalk obviously are doing what we did last season, they are the real surprise package of the league. They are playing some good football but we are well capable of that and it should be a good game, it will also determine who has the bragging rights for the next 10 weeks or so. “ said manager Mick Cooke.

Dundalk defender Mark Rossiter told Dundalkfc.com that the 10-day break enjoyed by the team will be a benefit to them ahead on Monday night’s match. “The break did us good but we’ve prepared well during that time off. We’ve had some good results recently in the FAI Cup and in Sligo but each one is another game to us.
"We were still very disappointed with that defeat to UCD but that happens. It’s football and no games are easy, especially the derby up next! They have been going well and anything can happen in a match like that. We have a big week ahead of us now going into the break and we’ll do all that we can to pick up maximum points starting in Drogheda.”

Referee: Alan Kelly

Betting Odds:
(Paddy Power) Drogheda United 11/8, Draw 11/5, Dundalk 15/8


In what should be a fierce game between the two sides, We reckon The Lilywhites should prove too much for thei Drogs, especially given their record on the way. There is plenty of value on offer at 15/8 on Dundalk. Verdict: Away win.