League Preview: Bray Wanderers -v- Cork City

BRAY WANDERERS

Bray Wanderers can take a big step towards securing a playoff place on Friday evening when they host First Division champions Cork City at the Carlisle Grounds (kick-off is at 7.45pm).

The Seagulls are fourth in the table and closing in on a top-five finish for the first time since the 2021 season.

And while City may have little to play for, first-team coach Paul Heffernan is not expecting any let up from Tim Clancy’s side.

“I think they’ll want to finish the season strong before they go into the Premier Division, but we won’t be thinking about them for now; we’ll get our lads rested up and prepare ourselves,” he told the Bray People.

“We’ve four games to go and we’ve a tough little spell coming up with Cork and UCD so we’ll get the lads recovered and prepared for that but it’s a tough week having to play Tuesday and Friday, but we handled it well enough, and we’ll make sure we’re ready to go again next week.”

Bray are likely to be without defenders Paul Murphy and Evan Osam for the game via injury.

CORK CITY

Runaway First Division kings Cork City head to Bray Wanderers on the latest trip of their champions tour before their return to the top-flight.

City won the title at UCD earlier this month and are now 20 points clear at the summit with four games to play.

And just last week, boss Clancy stressed his side want to win all of their remaining games.

"We have three home games left and two away games. We want to finish the season really strong, and we want to use the whole squad,” he said.

City have not released team news but should have a fully-fit squad to pick from.

Referee: Oliver Moran.

PREDICTION

Bray Wanderers 1-1 Cork City

Bray Wanderers

Injured: Paul Murphy, Evan Osam.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

Cork City

Injured: N/A.

Doubtful: N/A.

Suspended: None.

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