League Preview: Bray Wanderers -v- Derry City

BRAY WANDERERS

Bray Wanderers face an unenviable task as the league's bottom side host high-flying Derry City at the Carlisle Grounds on Friday night (kick-off 7.45pm).

A bitterly disappointing week for the Seagulls saw them suffer defeats to the two sides closest to them in the table, Limerick and Sligo Rovers.

Shane Duggan's goal earned Limerick all three points in Bray last Friday, while a late goal from Cory Galvin wasn't enough to salvage a point in Sligo on Monday.

"The two defeats last weekend were tough to take as we feel we deserved something from both games,” said caretaker manager Graham Kelly.

“Looking back at the Limerick game I believe we created enough chances to win the game and we were very disappointed to come away with nothing.

“While defensively we looked a lot better against Limerick we didn’t deal with a long throw in what resulted in Limerick scoring their winning goal.

“Again away to Sligo on Monday evening where we might not have played as well as previous games I still feel a draw would have been a fair result.

“While we are happy that we are creating chances in games we also know we need to be more clinical in front of goal and start putting them away.

“We are all in this together and there is a great team spirit and belief that we have what it takes to start picking up points and take us up the table."

The Seagulls will have Gary McCabe back after missing the Sligo game but Paul O'Conor, Conor Kenna and Aaron Dillon all face late fitness tests.

Aaron Greene, Jake Kelly, Darragh Noone and John Sullivan are all long-term absentees.

DERRY CITY

Derry City stretched their unbeaten streak in the league to an impressive nine games with a straightforward 3-0 win over Limerick on an atrocious pitch at the Markets Field.

Rory Patterson scored late in the first half and Aaron McEneff scored twice in the final six minutes as City eventually overcame the conditions to take three points.

The Candystripes have suffered a spate of injuries in recent weeks but manager Kenny Shiels expects to be back to the full complement for the trip to Bray.

"We're not too bad this weekend apart from a few niggles so hopefully everyone will be available," he said.

"It's a vital game for us because a win will keep the run going. As well as that it would give us the opportunity to move forward from there going into another tough set of fixtures."

"I'm expecting a tough encounter. Shamrock Rovers lost down there recently and we have that in our heads."

"Martin Russell has just taken over and this is his first game so that will be a factor too. We have to go there and work hard- fight for every ball.

"It will be a much different game to the one at Brandywell. We can't just turn up and expect to win."

Derry expect to have a full squad to choose from with no serious injuries or suspensions.

Referee: To be announced

MATCH STATS

The sides met at the Brandywell in March as Derry ran out emphatic 5-1 winners despite losing Nicky Low to a red card at 1-0 early in the second half.

Bray completed a resounding clean sweep over the Candystripes last season, with two 3-2 wins preceding a 5-0 thumping at Maginn Park in September.

In both of those 3-2 wins, the Seagulls prevailed thanks to late winners from current Drogheda United manager Tim Clancy.

BETTING

Bray Wanderers 11/2; Draw 3/1; Derry City 4/9.

PREDICTION

Bray Wanderers 1 – 2 Derry City

Bray Wanderers

Injured: Aaron Greene (knee), Jake Kelly (foot), Darragh Noone (foot), John Sullivan.

Doubtful: Aaron Dillon (back), Conor Kenna (dead leg), Paul O'Conor (illness).

Suspended: None.

Derry City

Injured: None.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.