League Preview: Finn Harps -v- Bray Wanderers

FINN HARPS

Finn Harps could go joint top of the First Division with a win on Monday night when they host Bray Wanderers in Ballybofey (kick-off 5pm).

The Donegal side have been much improved this campaign ans sit in second place with 14 points after seven games.

On Friday night they travelled to Limerick where they put a dent in Treaty United’s promotion hopes by handing them their first loss of the campaign.

Captain Tony McNamee scored with ten minutes to go to give Harps their fourth win of the season.

Harps are flying high and they were also bolstered by the return of Ryan Rainey on Friday night who returned from injury to make his first appearance for the Donegal side.

BRAY WANDERERS

Bray Wanderers will be looking for just their second win of the season when they make the long trip up to Ballybofey to face Finn Harps.

It’s been a tough week and a half for Wanderers with Monday night's fixture being their fourth in just 11 days due to a rescheduled game with Longford Town taking place on Monday, 25 March.

Securing a win will be a tough ask for Bray as they come up against a much improved Finn Harps but they head to Donegal in reasonable form having secured hard fought points in their last two games against Longford Town and Cobh Ramblers.

They will have been disappointed not to close out Friday’s fixture against Cobh having taken the lead twice.

Conor Knight put them in front in the 20^th minute only for Matthew McKevitt to score before half-time.

Cole Omorehiomwan scored in the 67^th minute but McKevitt netted his second of the game in injury time for a 2-2 draw.

“It’s a big game for us. We were back on Sunday (after Friday’s game with Cobh). And assessed everything. Checked whose available then prepare for the trip on Monday,” Head Coach Ian Ryan said, speaking to the club’s website.

“We know it’s going to be a tough game. But as we’ve all seen by result across the board so far this season, there’s no easy games in this division.”

The list of injuries is adding up for Bray too which will make this fixture even more challenging.

Darren Craven and Jimmy Corcoran were out injured already, with strikers Ben Feeney and Cristian Margerusan also out. Defender Cole Omorehiomwan is also out injured and Max Murphy is currently suspended.

Referee: Daniel Murphy

MATCH STATS

The sides faced each other four times last year, they drew three times and Bray Wanderers secured one win at home at the Carlisle Grounds.

Harps last beat Bray in August 2020 when the side met in the FAI Cup in the Carlisle Grounds.

Bray last recorded a victory in Finn Park in May 2017 when both side were in the Premier Division. They ran out 0-3 winners over the Donegal side.

BETTING

Finn Harps 6/5; Draw 23/10; Bray Wanderers 9/5.

PREDICTION

Finn Harps 2–1 Bray Wanderers

Finn Harps

Injured: None.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

Bray Wanderers

Injured: Darren Craven, Jimmy Corcoran, Ben Feeney, Cristian Magerusan, Cole Omorehiomwan.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: Max Murphy.