- Shamrock Rovers have won the last 5 meetings between these sides in all competitions.
- Rovers have won 2, drawn 2 and lost 1 of their last 5 Premier Division games.
- Drogheda United have won 2, drawn 1 and lost 2 of their last 5 Premier Division matches.
Rovers a force to be reckoned with
Shamrock Rovers FC come into this Monday night’s game as the favourites at 59/50 to win, with Drogheda United 43/20 to take all three points.
The Hoops have dominated this fixture in recent times, winning all of the last 5 head-to-heads and entering this game in solid form with 8pts from their first 5 matches to sit 3rd in the Premier Division 2026 table. Stephen Bradley’s men have played some thrilling football at times, beating Derry City 1-0 at home in a tight game, losing 3-2 away to Bohemian FC and drawing 2-2 at Shelbourne in their last 3 matches.
Bradley has brought an exciting brand of football to the club, a high-pressing, possession-based 3-5-2 that can change shape and tempo at the drop of a hat, with the Hoops often controlling the game against most domestic opposition. Mark Doyle has been Drogheda United’s main attacking outlet this season, scoring 2 goals in 5 appearances, while Dylan Watts has been the Shamrock Rovers midfield dynamo, netting 2 goals, but just as importantly, providing the link between defence and attack.
Drogheda are no pushovers
Drogheda United sit in 5th place, with 7pts from their opening 5 games (W2, D1, L2). Kevin Doherty’s side set up in a 3-4-1-2 or 3-4-3, sitting deep in a disciplined and compact structure before launching fast, structured counter attacks with their wing-backs. Mark Doyle leads the line for Drogheda too, but he has only scored 2 goals in 5 Premier Division appearances, with 2 of the Drogs’ 6 recent goals coming from the ex-Rovers striker.
The Drogs are on a 2-match losing streak, being beaten 1-2 at home by Shelbourne and 2-1 away to Sligo Rovers, although Rovers have yet to win away from home in the Premier Division 2026, drawing 2-2 at Shelbourne and losing 3-2 to Bohemians, averaging 2.5 goals conceded per away match.
Rovers to edge it
Shamrock Rovers should win this game given their dominance in recent meetings and superior form in the league this year. Rovers’ European experience and squad depth, when compared to their hosts, will also be a factor. However, Drogheda have won 1 and lost 1 of their 2 home games this Premier Division season, scoring 3 times, so they may be able to keep this close.
Drogheda are a young, hungry team that lost 6-5 at home to Rovers in the FAI Cup 2025 last year, and Rovers’ recent success in this fixture should give them the belief to take all 3 points on Monday. The hosts’ defence can frustrate Rovers, but Bradley’s side will have success forcing turnovers and breaking through the centre of the field.
With Rovers conceding an average of 2.5 goals away from home this year and Drogheda United scoring 3 times at home in the Premier Division, the hosts should at least find the net, and with both teams in a similar scoring groove, ‘Both teams to score - Yes’ at 17/20 looks good value.
