The bottom two in the League of Ireland Premier Division will lock horns on Friday evening, as Dundalk welcome Drogheda United to Oriel Park.
Dundalk are currently ninth in the table, boasting 19 points from their 23 league matches this season, while Drogheda are 10th, picking up 17 points from their 23 games this term.
Match preview
Dundalk are 14-time League of Ireland Premier Division champions, making them the second-most successful side at this level of football behind Shamrock Rovers (21), with their last title triumph coming in 2019.
However, the Lilywhites finished fifth last term, and an incredibly disappointing campaign to date has left them down in ninth spot in the table, picking up only 19 points from 23 matches.
Dundalk have a record of four wins, seven draws and 12 defeats in the league this term, and they will enter this match off the back of successive losses to Waterford and Shamrock Rovers.
Jon Daly's side have the second-worst home record in the League of Ireland Premier Division this season, only collecting 14 points from their 11 matches.
Dundalk have won five of their last seven matches against Drogheda, though, and they will be welcoming a side with the worst away record in the league this season.
Indeed, Drogheda have a record of zero wins, three draws and nine losses from their 12 away league matches this term, conceding 26 times in the process.
The visitors are currently rock bottom of the table, only picking up 17 points from their 23 matches, recording just three wins in the process.
Kevin Doherty's side held Shelbourne to a 1-1 draw on home soil last time out, but they have not been victorious since a 2-1 success over Dundalk towards the start of May.
Drogheda have won the League of Ireland Premier Division on one previous occasion, triumphing in 2007, while they were also runners-up in 2012.
The Drogs are currently locked in a relegation battle, though, and they have conceded a worrying 43 goals in their 23 league matches during the current season.
Team News
Dundalk will be without the services of three players through injury, with Andy Boyle, Jamie Gullan and Dara Keane unavailable for selection on Friday night.
Gullan's absence is a huge blow considering that the 25-year-old is the team's leading goalscorer this season with five in all competitions.
Eoin Kenny, who has only managed one goal in 16 appearances this term, is expected to lead the line for the home side, while Paul Doyle should again operate as the advanced midfielder.
As for Drogheda, Jethren Barr is definitely out of the contest, while Zishim Bawa, Gary Deegan and Aaron McNally are also expected to miss out on Friday night.
Douglas James-Taylor, who is on loan from Walsall, scored on his debut for the club last time out, and he is again set to operate at the tip of the attack.
Warren Davis has scored three times from midfield this season and is also set to retain his spot, while Darragh Markey will again feature in a wide position.
Dundalk possible starting lineup:
Munro; Davies, Johnson, Faulkner, Keogh; Horgan, Mountney, Benson, Doyle, Hakiki; Kenny
Drogheda United possible starting lineup:
Wogan; Quinn, Webster, Keaney, Kane; Foley, Heeney, Ahui, Davis; Markey; James-Taylor
We say: Dundalk 2-1 Drogheda United
Dundalk have had a very disappointing campaign, but Drogheda are really struggling, and their defensive record is a concern. We are expecting this to be a tight match, but Dundalk should have enough quality to collect all three points on Friday night.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Matt Law
