Bray Wanderers -v- Sligo Rovers

BRAY WANDERERS

Bray Wanderers will be hoping to record back-to-back victories for the first time this season and create some daylight between themselves and the foot of the table when they welcome league leaders Sligo Rovers to the Carlisle Grounds on Friday evening.

The Seagulls ended their seven game losing streak on Monday when they edged past fellow strugglers Shelbourne 2-1 at Tolka Park but UCD’s victory over Bohemians the day after means Bray are back in the bottom two and just a point ahead of basement club Shels.

The fact that Bray haven’t picked up the points that many of their performances have deserved is of little consolation to Pat Devlin or indeed his players and with their injury crisis now seemingly behind them, the County Wicklow club will be eyeing an improved set of results in the second series of fixtures.

Speaking to the club’s website after Monday’s game, Devlin was inevitably delighted to finally pick up three vital points but knows the size of the test awaiting his players on Friday.

“We now need to move on from here. We are all looking forward to it and I expect the lads to respond after the win on Monday and we hope to carry on from here” he said.

With a fairly thin and largely inexperienced squad, Bray have been hit by injuries to several key players in the opening few months of the season but the long absentee list finally seems to be reducing with Shane O’Neill the only player likely to miss the visit of the champions.

Captain Danny O’Connor and brother Kevin, who have been missing for three and four weeks respectively, are back in the squad while Ismahil Akinade is pushing for a starting place after impressing in Monday night’s victory.

SLIGO ROVERS

After a couple of mixed results, Sligo Rovers swiftly returned to the top of the table with victory over Derry and will be looking to extend their lead over the chasing pack to six points when they make the trip to the seaside.

The Bit O’Red returned to their formidable best as they disposed of the Candystripes 3-0 at the Showgrounds, a result which ended a run of three games without a win and saw them overtake Monday’s opponents at the summit.

However, Ian Baraclough’s side have lost just once this season and are still firm favourites to retain their league crown.  One of the key factors to their success over the last year or so has been their watertight defence. Having conceded just seven goals this term so far, they have the best defensive record in the league and with striker Danny North returning to full fitness, the signs look ominous for their title challengers.

Rovers are unbeaten in the last 14 games against Bray which is their longest unbeaten run against any current Premier Division side and three more points on Friday will be another significant step towards successive titles.

Sligo boss Baraclough admitted the mood in the squad is good ahead of Friday’s game;  “There has been a vibrancy in training this week with the win against Derry. There was a certain swagger amongst them again and I’ve had to pull the reins in at times to ensure we are in the best condition for Friday night. I think the lads are full of confidence after the manner of the victory and we hope to take it into Friday’s game.” He told the club’s website.

The former Scunthorpe manager will have Anthony Elding at his disposal again after the striker served a one-game suspension following a red card against Shamrock Rovers while Raffaele Cretaro returns to full fitness but goalkeeper Ciaran Kelly is ruled out.

However, the game comes too soon for Seamus Conneely and Danny North who are both closing in on a return to first team action. The strength of the Sligo squad means Baraclough faces plenty of selection dilemmas on Friday.

“There will be players disappointed when I choose the team on Friday but they understand it is a squad game. I’ve been itching to have such choices because we have had to cope with some injuries and suspensions in recent weeks.” He commented.

Referee: Derek Tomney

MATCH STATS

Bray Wanderers have lost their last 4 home matches in Airtricity League.

Raffaele Cretaro has scored eight times in his last eleven starts against Bray. He remains just one goal short of reaching 50 league goals for Rovers.

Sligo Rovers have scored at least 2 goals in 9 of their last 11 matches in the Airtricity League.

Bray's 1-1 draw in Sligo last season ended a run of eleven consecutive defeats for the Seagulls at the Showgrounds.

BETTING

Bray Wanderers 9/1, Draw 15/4, Sligo Rovers 3/10.

PREDICTION

Bray 0-3 Sligo Rovers

Bray Wanderers

Injured:  Shane O’Neill

Doubtful: None.

Suspended:  None.

Sligo Rovers

Injured: Seamus Conneely, Danny North, Ciaran Kelly.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended:  None.