League Preview: Limerick -v- Bray Wanderers
LIMERICK
Limerick host Bray Wanderers in a potentially explosive encounter in the SSE Airtricity Premier Division at the Market’s Field on Friday night (kick-off 7.45pm).
Despite being so early in the season, Limerick will be aiming for a home win over the Seagulls to pull further away from the drop zone and enhance their aspirations of European football next season.
The Super Blues welcomed the intervention of the Beast from the East last week in order to lick their wounds after a humiliating 8-0 drubbing at the hands of Dundalk at Oriel Park in their last league game.
It was a forgettable night for the Shannonsiders who never recovered from being 2-0 down after only 10 minutes.
They had made a solid start to the season with a hard fought 1-0 away win over Sligo Rovers at the Showgrounds in their opening fixture and followed that up with a decent 1-1 draw against Bohemians at the Market’s Field the following week.
The Super Blues have been boosted by the signing of Irish-Dutch defensive midfielder Barry Maguire from Dutch local side TEC and is included in the squad for Friday night’s game.
28-year-old Maguire brings much needed steel in midfield and a wealth of experience having lined out for FC Utrecht, FC Den Bosch and VVV Venlo in the Dutch leagues.
BRAY WANDERERS
Bray Wanderers make the tough trip to the Mid-West trying to get their season back on track and avoid falling further adrift at the bottom of the SSE Airtricity Premier Division.
The Seagulls were shown no mercy in their last league outing by Shamrock Rovers who romped to a 6-0 hammering of the Wicklow side at Tallaght Stadium.
Bray have yet to register a win this season so far in their opening three league matches. The season begun promisingly with a well-earned 0-0 draw away to Dundalk at Oriel Park but the wheels have fallen off since with a 2-1 home defeat by St. Patrick’s Athletic at the Carlisle Grounds before being thrashed by Rovers.
Referee: Anthony Buttimer
MATCH FACTS
Limerick and Bray Wanderers played each other three times last season, with Limerick winning 1-0 in the first meeting at the Carlisle Grounds and then 5-3 at the Market’s Field with the final game ending in a 1-1 draw in Bray.
The Super Blues and The Seagulls have met each other 29 times in all competitions since 1997 with Bray enjoying the bragging rights with 13 wins to Limerick’s nine, and 7 draws.
Both Limerick and Bray Wanderers scored a total of 43 goals last season, averaging 1.48 per game.
BETTING
Limerick FC 11/10 Draw 12/5 Bray Wanderers 9/4
PREDICTION
Limerick 2-1 Bray Wanderers
Limerick
Injuries: Unavailable.
Doubtful: Unavailable.
Suspensions: None.
Bray Wanderers
Injuries: Unavailable.
Doubtful: Unavailable.
Suspensions: None.
