UCD -v- Bray Wanderers
Credit:
Both UCD and Bray Wanderers will be looking to improve on their mixed starts to the season when they meet at the UCD Bowl on Friday night (kick-off 19:45). Both sides have a win, a draw and a defeat from their opening three league games of the season and are locked together on four points in the middle of the Premier League table.
UCD's main problem this season has been finding the net. They have managed just one league goal so far. Manager Martin Russell revealed that UCD's only league scorer this season, Cillian Morrison will definitely miss Friday's match. However Russell remained upbeat ahead of the visit of Bray.
Russell confirmed “We will have a similar squad to the one that travelled to Galway, Cillian Morrison is out, and Robbie Benson is a slight doubt. We are looking to build on a decent start to the season and we will as always try and play well and hopefully get more points on the board. Bray have started well, continuing the momentum from the end of last season. I have confidence in our group that we have the ability and attitude to be able to do get the three points. It will undoubtedly be a good game."
Bray for their part, will also be missing a few players. Top scorer Conor Murphy is on international duty with the Republic of Ireland under 19s. Colm Tresson, who has a calf injury and striker Gary Shaw, who has an ankle injury will both miss the trip to UCD. Striker Shane O' Neill is doubtful with a bug.
Bray Director of Football Pat Devlin may have given an indication of his team's mentality after declaring he was happy following last week's 0-0 draw with Sligo. "I rate Sligo as one of the top teams, very professional and well prepared. Getting something from the gme last Friday was my priority and we got it and at the end of the season that could be a vital point".
Looking towards the trip to U.C.D, Devlin said, "U.C.D. and Bray have an unbelievable history and its always difficult to call". He added, "It's all down to what happens on the night its always tough and very unpredictable".
Previous meetings between the sides seem to indicate UCD may be slight favourites for this one. U.C.D are actually unbeaten at home to Bray in the last 12 league meetings between the sides.
U.C.D also won the first three meetings in the League last season against Bray, with the fourth game at the Carlisle ending 2-2. Bray did however win both Cup meetings between the sides last season.
UCD:
Injured: Cillian Morrison.
Doubtful: Robbie Benson.
Bray Wanderers:
Injured: Colm Treason and Gary Shaw.
Doubtful: Shane O' Neill.
Unavailable: Conor Murphy.
Match Odds: UCD 11/10, Bray Wanderers 5/2, Draw 11/5
Extratime.ie Prediction: UCD 1-0 Bray Wanderers.
UCD's main problem this season has been finding the net. They have managed just one league goal so far. Manager Martin Russell revealed that UCD's only league scorer this season, Cillian Morrison will definitely miss Friday's match. However Russell remained upbeat ahead of the visit of Bray.
Russell confirmed “We will have a similar squad to the one that travelled to Galway, Cillian Morrison is out, and Robbie Benson is a slight doubt. We are looking to build on a decent start to the season and we will as always try and play well and hopefully get more points on the board. Bray have started well, continuing the momentum from the end of last season. I have confidence in our group that we have the ability and attitude to be able to do get the three points. It will undoubtedly be a good game."
Bray for their part, will also be missing a few players. Top scorer Conor Murphy is on international duty with the Republic of Ireland under 19s. Colm Tresson, who has a calf injury and striker Gary Shaw, who has an ankle injury will both miss the trip to UCD. Striker Shane O' Neill is doubtful with a bug.
Bray Director of Football Pat Devlin may have given an indication of his team's mentality after declaring he was happy following last week's 0-0 draw with Sligo. "I rate Sligo as one of the top teams, very professional and well prepared. Getting something from the gme last Friday was my priority and we got it and at the end of the season that could be a vital point".
Looking towards the trip to U.C.D, Devlin said, "U.C.D. and Bray have an unbelievable history and its always difficult to call". He added, "It's all down to what happens on the night its always tough and very unpredictable".
Previous meetings between the sides seem to indicate UCD may be slight favourites for this one. U.C.D are actually unbeaten at home to Bray in the last 12 league meetings between the sides.
U.C.D also won the first three meetings in the League last season against Bray, with the fourth game at the Carlisle ending 2-2. Bray did however win both Cup meetings between the sides last season.
UCD:
Injured: Cillian Morrison.
Doubtful: Robbie Benson.
Bray Wanderers:
Injured: Colm Treason and Gary Shaw.
Doubtful: Shane O' Neill.
Unavailable: Conor Murphy.
Match Odds: UCD 11/10, Bray Wanderers 5/2, Draw 11/5
Extratime.ie Prediction: UCD 1-0 Bray Wanderers.
