League Preview: Bray Wanderers -v- Waterford

BRAY WANDERERS

Bray Wanderers welcome Waterford to the Carlisle Grounds on Friday night knowing that no matter what the result neither will alter their league position before the mid-season break (kick-off 7.45pm).

The Seagulls have not had the best of seasons and, heading into the break, they have only managed three wins from 22 games and recorded 17 losses.

They will need to dramatically change their form if they are to avoid an automatic relegation to the First Division.

They currently trail Limerick by seven points and are nine points off Sligo Rovers in eighth. Since Bray secured a 2-2 draw with Waterford in May, they have lost four and won one, conceding 17 and only scoring three goals.

Martin Russell has added Craig Walsh to his squad this week, with the 26-year-old former Shelbourne and Shamrock Rovers midfielder joining from Leinster Senior League side Crumlin United, while full-back Sean Harding has also returned.

Russell will have to plan without the services of Conor Kenna who serves an automatic suspension due to his recent red card whilst Gary McCabe will also miss out due to yellows accumulated.

WATERFORD

The Blues sit in third in the league, six points clear of Derry City but 13 points behind Dundalk in second.

The visitors returned to winning ways last week with a 2-0 win over St Patrick’s Athletic, having previously suffered a 3-0 loss to Cork City.

Blues first-team coach Paul Cashin is looking to go into the mid-season break on a high this Friday.

He told the club's websie: “I think that the bounce back over the last few weeks when we’ve lost games and come back the following week is something that the lads have developed themselves.

“They have developed as a group but they have this no lose attitude. Again we need to look forward to the Bray game. It was 2-2 in Bray last time and we were disappointed not to win that game.

“We didn’t feel that we played very well up there so we’ll be trying to put things right after the disappointment of that late penalty a couple of weeks ago.”

In team news, John Kavanagh (knee), Garry Comerford (foot) and Paul Keegan (calf) continue to miss out. Stanley Aborah and David Webster are suspended, while Faysel Kasmi has left the club.

Referee: Unavailable

MATCH STATS

Bray Wanderers have conceded the most goals in the league (58 after 22 games). Last season they conceded 52 after 33 games.

The last time Waterford were in the Premier Division (2007) they earned 30 points from 33 games. With 20 games gone this season, they have already amassed 39 points.

The first time Bray and Waterford met in the league was in the 1930/31 season. Waterford AFC recorded two 3-2 victories over Bray Unknowns but the Wicklow side finished one place above them that season. (eighth versus ninth).

BETTING

Bray Wanderers 5/1; Draw 11/4; Waterford 4/7;

PREDICTION

Bray Wanderers 1-3 Waterford

Bray Wanderers

Injured: Unavailable.

Doubtful: Unavailable.

Suspended: Conor Kenna, Gary McCabe.

Waterford

Injured: John Kavanagh, Garry Comerford, Paul Keegan.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: Stanley Aborah, David Webster.