- Team form: St Patrick's Athletic have won 3, drawn 3, and lost 4 of their last 10 matches in all competitions (W3, D3, L4).
- Opponents form: Drogheda United have won 3, drawn 2 and lost 5 of their last 10 games in all competitions (W3, D2, L5).
- Home form: St Patrick's Athletic have won 1 and lost 1 of their last 2 home matches in all competitions.
Drogheda to test hosts in classic style clash
Form and context
St Pat's have won three, drawn three and lost four of their respective last ten games in all competitions, while Drogheda United have won three, drawn two and lost five, so there is plenty of inconsistency among the top sides in the country this year.
St Pat's have won one, drawn two and lost two of their last five and their form at Richmond Park has been even with one win and one loss in their last two at home. Drogheda have lost three of their last four away matches, but they have averaged 1.75 goals per game away from home this season, so they should be a threat to the Saints on Friday.
Drogheda recent matches
Kevin Doherty's side have proven themselves to be a robust, direct and pragmatic unit since his appointment in December 2021. The Drogs' last three games have seen a 2-1 away defeat to Waterford FC, a 1-1 home draw against Dundalk and a pulsating 3-3 draw at home to Waterford FC that showed that they can go toe-to-toe with the best in the league.
St Pat’s should have the edge
This is a clash of styles in the classic sense of possession and pressing against compactness and directness and it has been an important narrative in the local game in 2026.
The Saints are the clear favorite at 1.35, but that's not an attractive bet. However, there's plenty to like about 'Both Teams to Score – Yes' at 2.15 and 'Over 2.5 goals' at 1.82 in this clash of contrasting styles.
- Stephen Kenny's men will attempt to dictate possession, play through the thirds at a good tempo and press high to win the ball back in the opposition's half.
- Their mobile inside forwards and overlapping full-backs, who will overlap and underlap to create overloading, are key to the system and a constant threat.
- Drogheda United will sit deep, defend in numbers and look to disrupt St Pat's rhythm by being direct when they do win the ball, while also looking to snatch any opportunities created by set pieces.
- Mark Doyle, with eight goals in 18 Premier Division 2026 games, is a star player for Drogheda, but St Patrick's Athletic should have the quality to secure the win in this one, albeit in a game that should see both teams find the net.
