Shelbourne -v- Bray Wanderers

SHELBOURNE

Shelbourne, having endured an awful start to their 2013 campaign, are on the verge of a revival, being unbeaten in their last four games, and will be confident of extending this run against Bray Wanderers on Monday evening.

Shels lost seven of their first eight league games and also went down to Dundalk in the EA Sports Cup. But a 94th minute equaliser against Cork City earned the club a draw at Turner’s Cross two weeks ago and they followed this up with a scoreless draw away to Limerick. The club’s first win of the season came last Tuesday when they overcame First Division Athlone Town 3-1 in the Leinster Senior Cup and they then immediately secured their first league win thanks to a 2-0 victory over fellow strugglers UCD.

The prospect of three wins on the spin will feel dizzying to the Reds’ support who would surely not have predicted such a thing just two short weeks ago but Bray will be seen as eminently beatable by Alan Mathews and his players.

It they do beat the Seagulls, Shelbourne will have to do so without Robert Bayly who is suspended and midfielder Glenn Cronin who is ruled out with an ankle injury. Goalkeeper Niall Burdon is also doubtful with a hamstring injury but Paul Crowley will be available to Mathews once again having served a suspension.

BRAY WANDERERS

Bray travel to Tolka Park on Bank Holiday Monday having lost their last seven league games and desperately in need of a positive result. 

The fact that Bray have at times performed well during this losing sequence will be of little consolation to Pat Devlin or his players. A 4-0 defeat by Limerick was notable for the fact that Bray hit the woodwork four times during the game. They also hit the goal frame twice when they went down to two late goals against Cork City last Monday and single goal defeats to both Bohemians and Dundalk hint at a side that are more competitive than their league position suggests.

The Seagulls go into the Shelbourne game knowing that the last time they won was against the same opposition on the first night of the season. The win that night might have persuaded their fans that they were a better side than Shelbourne but they approach their second meeting two points behind the Reds and sitting at the bottom of the Premier Division table. 

Pat Devlin’s side continue to pick up injuries with forward Shane O’Neill the latest to be added to the list of absentees. He was forced off with a nasty hand injury during the defeat to Dundalk and joins Danny and Kevin O’Connor among those unlikely to feature at Tolka Park.

Referee: Rob Rogers.

MATCH STATS

Bray Wanderers have already beaten Shelbourne this season, winning 1-0 at the Carlisle Grounds on the opening night of the season.

Shelbourne remain at the bottom of the league’s goal-scoring charts having hit the net just five times so far this term.

Bray haven’t won away from home since they beat St Patrick’s Athletic at Richmond Park in August of 2012.

BETTING

Shelbourne 10/11; Draw 12/5; Bray 11/4.

PREDICTION
Shelbourne 2-1 Bray Wanderers

Shelbourne

Injured: Glenn Cronin.
Doubtful: Niall Burdon.
Suspended: Robert Bayly.

Bray Wanderers

Injured: Shane O’Neill.
Doubtful: Danny O’Connor, Kevin O’Connor.
Suspended: None.