League Preview: Bray Wanderers -v- Dundalk

BRAY WANDERERS

Bray will have lamented the fixture computer when they saw this one come up. An opening day fixture versus the defending champions is never easy and even less so against what has been an electric Dundalk side in the last three seasons.

Mick Cooke will be quietly content with his sides four wins in pre-season with the Seagulls also in free scoring form in those fixtures. Scoring goals was a bit of a problem for Bray last season but they will be hopeful young starlet Drew Lewis can show some of the form he displayed at Southport U21s in England where he scored 30 goals in 14 games.

Ryan Brennan also got a few in pre-season so expect the Segaulls’ forward line to be brimming with confidence. The good atmosphere surrounding the club off the field should no doubt contribute to an optimistic feel at the Carlisle Grounds this season.

DUNDALK

Dundalk put 13 goals past Bray last season but, despite a solid unbeaten pre-season, it is doubtful they will be expecting such a waltz down Bray prom this time around.

Although last season’s talisman Richie Towell has swapped trips to Bray for a beach house in Brighton, Stephen Kenny has largely kept his title winning squad together.

Dundalk will be looking to bounce straight back from the defeat in the President’s Cup versus Cork last weekend. Speaking to dundalkfc.com defender Sean Gannon said “It was a disappointing game to be honest. For myself personally, I didn’t play well. I can’t speak for any of the other lads but I know I didn’t do myself justice with my performance. These things happen in football and you just have to put it aside and move onto the opening league game now on Saturday.”

The Lilywhites will be hoping Daryl Horgan and Ronan Finn can provide the width that allowed Dundalk to swarm all over their opposition last season, while new signing Patrick McEleney will look to pull the strings from the centre of the park.

Referee: Padraig Sutton
 

MATCH STATS

Bray shipped 13 goals in this fixture last season over three games with only one in reply.

Ex-Dundalk man Paul Finnegan will no doubt be on the lookout to prove a point to his old club.

BETTING

Bray 13/2; Draw 10/3; Dundalk 2/5.

PREDICTION

Bray Wanderers 0 - 2 Dundalk.

Bray Wanderers
Injured: None.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: None.

Dundalk
Injured: None.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: None.