Derry City -v- Bray Wanderers

Derry City host Bray Wanderers on Friday evening at The Brandywell, with the Candystripes hoping to continue their 17 game unbeaten streak and put pressure on the league leaders. (kick off 7.45pm).

Derry City manager, Stephen Kenny, faces the loss of several key players for this fixture, with Shane McEleney, sent off controversially from the bench by fourth official Anthony Buttimer last weekend, serving a one match ban, Barry Molloy also suspended and Eddie McCallion struggling to overcome a calf complaint. However, he will be delighted to welcome back Daniel Lafferty from suspension. 

Kenny commented, “Bray will be very tough, one of the toughest games of our run in. We have won twice at the Carlisle Grounds and drawn at the Brandywell but each game has been close and we will have to be at our best again. I saw them play Shamrock Rovers at the weekend and they were comfortable at 1-0 until a controversial red card.”

Derry will be confident of  three points after securing the EA Sports Cup at the weekend and will feel that Bray, who have lost four of their last five league games are suffering from a dip in form.

Meanwhile, Bray’s director of football, Pat Devlin, will be without  Shane O’Connor after his dismissal against Shamrock Rovers last week and Chris Shields is a doubt after picking up a knock in the same fixture. However it will be a difficult assignment for the Bray men as they have not recorded a victory at the Brandywell in their last 12 attempts

Pat Devlin said “ We were harshly done by, the sending off was unnecessary, and at that stage we were controlling the game. The sending off was the turning point, in the end the final score flattered Rovers. He added, "I'm happy the way the lads are playing and I'm looking forward to our trip to Derry. It’s not going to be easy but we will give it our best shot".

This will be the 47^th clash between the two sides since 1985, and the 24^th time that Bray have visited The Brandywell. Jake Kelly and Gary Dempsey will be the danger men for Bray whilst Patrick McEleney and Stephen McLaughlin have been in great form of late for Derry. Former Bray hitman Eamon Zayed is back in the goals for Derry and I expect them to keep the pressure on the two Rovers with a narrow 2-1 victory.

Derry City

Injured – None

Doubtful- Eddie McCallion (calf)

Suspended- Barry Molloy, Shane McEleney

Bray Wanderers

Injured- None

Doubtful- Chris Shields (knee)

Suspended- Shane O’Connor

Referee- Derek Tomney

Paddy Power odds-  Derry City 2/9  Draw 9/2 Bray Wanderers 11/1

Prediction Derry City 2 – Bray Wanderers 1