League Preview: Bray Wanderers -v- Kerry

BRAY WANDERERS

Bray Wanderers know that a win over Kerry on Friday night will put them in a strong position to secure a playoff spot (kick-off is at 7.45pm).

The Seagulls drew 0-0 away to Wexford on Tuesday evening following a shock 1-0 loss away to Longford Town a week beforehand.

It leaves them fourth in the table and clear of sixth-placed Finn Harps.

But first-team coach Paul Heffernan believes the point away to Wexford will only be valuable if they defeat Kerry at home.

“We‘re back at home and we want to win all of our home games,” Heffernan told his club’s media team. 

“We have five games left in the league and we want to win as many as possible. Home games will be key. 

“It is Kerry at home on Friday and the important thing now is to get the lads rested and recovered to face Kerry in three days' time.”

KERRY

Strugglers Kerry visit the Carlisle Grounds looking to avoid bottom spot. 

The Kingdom’s lead on basement side Longford Town has shrunk in recent weeks and they are now looking over their shoulder in their bid to avoid last place.

And goalkeeping coach Del O’Shea said: “These last 5 games now are huge for us. The boys have set their own targets, which is great to see and we go out to win every game. But look, going to Bray is always a tough task. 

“They are a very good side, a draw and two defeats against them this season probably shows that, although we were 2-0 up at home against them earlier this year, we probably weren’t clinical in that one. 

“We’ve 7 draws on the road this year so we really need to start turning a couple of them into wins to get ourselves up the table.”

Referee: Aaron O’Dowd. 

PREDICTION

Bray Wanderers 2-1 Kerry

Bray Wanderers

Injured: Paul Murphy, Evan Osam.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None. 

Kerry

Injured: None.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.