League Preview: Waterford -v- Bray Wanderers

WATERFORD

Waterford will look to bring an end a two-game losing run when they welcome bottom-of-the-table Bray Wanderers to the RSC (kick-off 7.45pm).

The Blues lost back-to-back away games to Derry City and St Patrick's Athletic over the weekend, with both games finishing 1-0 to the home side.

Monday night saw two Waterford players sent off – Sander Puri for two yellow cards and a straight red for Gavan Holohan – after Ryan Brennan had scored the game's only goal.

With Stanley Aborah and Bastien Héry already suspended, the Blues' resources in midfield will really be tested over the coming weeks.

“We were very disappointed and deflated after the game against St. Pat’s on Monday but we came back in on Tuesday morning and are now looking forward to the game against Bray,” coach Fran Rockett told the club's official website.

“There’s no excuses for the defeat on Monday and we need to bounce back in front of our own fans on Friday night but we know that it’s going to be a difficult game for us.

“We know that Bray will be on a high after their win over Shamrock Rovers and they’ll come down here full of confidence.”

Better news for the Blues sees manager Alan Reynolds return from a one-game ban, while Aborah and Héry have seen their bans reduced on appeal to four and three games respectively.

Defenders Kenny Browne and Rory Feely are sidelined with injuries, while Dean O'Halloran will undergo a late fitness test.

BRAY WANDERERS

Bray finally won at the eleventh attempt on Monday night when they ran out surprise winners over Shamrock Rovers at the Carlisle Grounds.

Ronan Coughlan scored the game's only goal as the Seagulls followed up a promising display against Dundalk on Friday with their first three points.

Two games in three days will have tested the squad's fitness, however, and caretaker boss Graham Kelly has a number of injury worries ahead of the trip south.

“We were really pleased with the performances in both games last weekend,” Kelly told the club's media team.

“Although we didn’t get anything from the game last Friday against Dundalk the lads know they played really well and deserved to take something from it.
The performance gave the squad a belief and much needed confidence boost going into Monday night’s game against Shamrock Rovers.

“The two-day turn around was tough especially with a small squad but once again the lads gave 110% and got their just rewards, picking up our first win of the season.
“We face another tough challenge tomorrow when we travel down to face 4th placed Waterford.

“We will again approach the game the same as the last two and hopefully build on them performances and take something from the game.”

Aaron Greene will miss out after picking up an injury early on Monday, while midfielder John Sullivan and defender Darragh Gibbons remain out with injuries.

Midfielder Darragh Noone will face a late fitness test.

Referee: Anthony Buttimer.

MATCH STATS

The sides have yet to meet this season after their originally-scheduled fixture on March 19^th was postponed due to bad weather.

That match will now be played on Monday, May 14^th at the Carlisle Grounds.

BETTING

Waterford 8/13; Draw 11/4; Bray Wanderers 4/1.

PREDICTION

Waterford 0 – 0 Bray Wanderers

Waterford

Injured: Kenny Browne (rib), Rory Feely (ankle).

Doubtful: Dean O'Halloran.

Suspended: Stanley Aborah, Bastien Héry, Gavan Holohan, Sander Puri.

Bray Wanderers

Injured: Darragh Gibbons, Aaron Greene, John Sullivan.

Doubtful: Darragh Noone.

Suspended: None.