League Preview: Bray Wanderers -v- Drogheda United

BRAY WANDERERS

The final day of the regular First Division season sees Bray Wanderers host Drogheda United at the Carlisle Grounds on Saturday evening.

Bray, four points behind Cabinteely and seven clear of Limerick will finish fifth this season, a place outside the playoffs but come into this game as the form team in the league.

Gary Cronin's side are unbeaten in seven, having won four and drawn three of those games.

After back to back draws against Cobh Ramblers and league champions Shelbourne, Bray beat nine-man Longford 2-1 last Saturday.

Dean Byrne had put Longford ahead before Bray came from behind to win with goals coming from John Martin and the winner in the 88th minute from a Dean Williams penalty.

Bray have no suspensions and are expected to have a full squad to choose from against Drogheda, with only Darragh Gibbons rated as doubtful. 

DROGHEDA UNITED

Drogheda United travel to Bray on Saturday knowing avoiding a defeat at the Carlisle Grounds will confirm a second placed finish in the First Division.

The Boynesiders could still finish second should they lose to Bray, as Longford would need to beat Cobh Ramblers and have a 10-goal swing to leapfrog Drogheda into second.

Drogheda come into this game off the back of a 3-1 defeat to Shelbourne at United -Park last week, in a game that saw Shels crowned league champions.

Aiden Friel gave Shelbourne the lead before Luke McNally equalised for the ten-men of Drogheda. However, Shels sealed the title with Oscar Brennan and Lorcan Fitzgerald scoring in the last ten minutes.

Tim Clancy’s side were unbeaten in five games prior to the Shelbourne defeat, having won four and drawn one (against Cabinteely) of those previous five games.

Clancy has no injury concerns this week but will be without the suspended Sean Brennan after his red card against Shelbourne last week.

Referee: Alan Carey.

MATCH STATS

In the last six meetings between these sides, in 2017 and 2019, Bray have won four, Drogheda have won one and there has been one draw.

Bray have won the previous four games at the Carlisle Grounds between the sides, going back to August 2015. Drogheda’s last win at the Carlisle Grounds was a 4-2 win in May 2015.

Drogheda are the top scorers in the league this season with 58 goals in 26 games but have the worst defensive record of the top five, conceding 32.

BETTING

Bray Wanderers 13/10; Draw 23/10; Drogheda United 13/8.

PREDICTION

Bray Wanderers 2 - 2 Drogheda United. 

Bray Wanderers

Injured: None.

Doubtful: Darragh Gibbons.

Suspended: None.

Drogheda United

Injured: None.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: Sean Brennan.