We have a Drogheda vs UCD prediction ahead of Saturday evening’s Promotion/Relegation Play-off Final at Tallaght Stadium.

Drogheda come into this game on the back of a 2-0 win over Galway United, but it wasn’t enough to lift them out of ninth, meaning Kevin Doherty’s side must win one more game to keep their Premier Division status.

UCD finished runners-up to Cork City in the First Division and have since beaten Longford Town 4-0 on aggregate and Bray Wanderers 3-1 to earn a chance for promotion after three seasons away.

Betting Odds

Drogheda vs UCD Betting Odds – Promotion/Relegation Play-off

Drogheda are the favourites at 6/10, with UCD the underdogs at 10/3 and the draw priced at 3/1. .

* Odds are correct at the time of writing, but subject to change .

Drogheda v UCD Match Result – LOI Promotion/Relegation Play-off Final

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How To Watch

How to Watch Drogheda vs UCD

The game will kick off at 5:30pm at Tallaght Stadium and can be viewed live on Virgin Media Two.

Form Guides

Drogheda’s Form

Though hopes would’ve been high before the 2026 Premier Division season, they’ve spent the majority of the time looking over their shoulder and finished ninth with 40 points from 36 games. Last Friday’s 2-0 win over Galway United , through a 20-yard strike from Brandon Kavanagh and a lovely lob from Mark Doyle, was a fitting send-off for Ryan Brennan in his final home game, but results elsewhere meant a play-off was on the cards. However, they’ve been here before, having beaten Bray Wanderers 3-1 in the same fixture two seasons ago in Tallaght.

It was a badly needed momentum changer after only earning three points in the league from their previous four games.

Though it’s been a tough season for the club, they retain plenty of quality, including Mark Doyle, the club’s top scorer with 11 league goals, Brandon Kavanagh, Shane Farrell and Edwin Agbaje, but losing goalkeeper Luke Dennison to a broken hand was a real blow, and Owen Lambe is also a doubt.

Drogheda @ 6/10

Drogheda’s Last Five Results

Drogheda 2-0 Galway United | October 30th | Win

Waterford 3-1 Drogheda | October 23rd | Loss

Drogheda 2-0 Derry City | October 16th | Win

Shamrock Rovers 3-1 Drogheda | October 8th | Loss

Bohemians 2-1 Drogheda | September 18th | Loss

2 Wins and 3 Losses

UCD’s Form

UCD dropped out of the Premier Division at the end of 2023, but Willy O’Connor’s students have come back stronger, finishing second behind champions Cork City in the First Division and going unbeaten in their last six games in all competitions.

Last weekend UCD finally got the better of Bray Wanderers at the fifth time of asking this season, coming from a goal down to win 3-1 at Tolka Park through Sam Norval, Ciaran Behan and Hugh Smith. That followed a 4-0 aggregate win over Longford Town, and they have scored 17 and conceded only four during that six-game run.

Hugh Smith has been sensational all season for the Students, with 19 goals and five assists in 41 games in all competitions. He has six in his last four, including a hat-trick at Wexford. With Ciaran Behan, Louis Dignam and Mikey McCullagh around him, there is no shortage of confidence in this young side, though Saturday is a big step up.

UCD have scored 17 in their six-game unbeaten run and Drogheda have conceded in three of their last five, so BTTS @ 8/13 looks the play.

UCD’s Last Five Results

Bray Wanderers 1-3 UCD | November 1st | Win

UCD 2-0 Longford Town | October 27th | Win

Longford Town 0-2 UCD | October 24th | Win

Wexford 2-5 UCD | October 16th | Win

UCD 1-1 Longford Town | October 9th | Draw

4 Wins and 1 Draw

Best Bet

Drogheda vs UCD Prediction & Best Bet

Prediction: Drogheda 2-1 UCD

Drogheda have not been at the races in 2026 but come into it knowing they’ve the experience of being here before in Tallaght and getting the job done.

UCD carry a wave of momentum unbeaten in six and scoring freely, but they have had a shorter turnaround, and Premier Division opposition is a different animal from what their form was built against.

Experience against momentum: Drogheda have won the last four meetings between these sides, and with Mark Doyle leading the line, we can see them edging a thriller.

Best Bet:  Drogheda @ 6/10

*Prices are subject to fluctuation.

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