Cork City -v- Bray Wanderers

CORK CITY

Still without a win four games into the season, Cork City will be desperate to get the monkey off their backs in their third home game of the campaign at Turner’s Cross on Friday night.

A big win over a weak Wexford Youths on Monday in the EA Sports Cup will be a major boost for City however. They beat the Youths 5-1 playing a 433 formation and will go in search of more goals here to kickstart their campaign.

Shane Duggan will come back into the side having served a three game suspension after being sent off against Drogheda United in the second game of the season, though he may not be guaranteed his place with Colin Healy fit again.

Although Stephen Mulcahy, Kevin Murray and Neal Horgan are all showing improvements in their knee injuries, City manager Tommy Dunne has a big doubt over the impressive John Dunleavy, who is suffering from flu.

Speaking ahead of the game, Dunne said: “We need to be positive and play at a good tempo in order to try and win the match. It is still early in the season, and nothing is decided at this point, but we want to get that first win under our belts.

“We want to win every game we play, particularly our home games, so in that sense, this week is no different to any other. We will be positive and look to build on the performance of Monday night.

“It is similar to what I mentioned last season as well; we need to be sharper at both ends of the pitch, both up top and in our own box. It has taken a couple of weeks, but the team is starting to gel well, and if we can settle down and get a good run of training and games, we will be fine.”

BRAY WANDERERS

After a difficult start to the campaign, Pat Devlin is hoping his side can bounce back from last weekend’s 4-2 defeat to Drogheda United and pick up their second win of the season.

The Seagulls faced a physical United challenge last Friday and after picking up a nasty head injury in that game, Adam Mitchell is set to miss out on the trip south. Dane Massey will also miss out due to suspension having being sent off at home to the Louth side, while Shane O’Connor and Stephen Brennan remain long-term absentees.

In stark contrast to their start last season, Bray lost their first two games against St Pat’s and Derry but then defeated UCD before last week’s loss at home.

Devlin is happy to see Cork back in the top tier, though he is under no illusions that his side will find it tough at the Cross. “It’s great that Cork are back in the Premier Division,” he says. “Turner’s Cross is a great place to go to play football and let’s hope the lads will respond after the disappointment of last week.

“Up until the sending off we were well in the game but the sending off changed everything. But now it’s back to basics and hope we can win away again, changing the pattern of winning at home.”    

Referee: Tom Connolly

MATCH STATS

Bray took the honours the last time the sides met in 2009 – a brace from Dave Mulcahy in the final three minutes overturning a Cork lead to eventually win 3-2

That was Wanderers’ only win in the last 10 meetings of these sides, however, four of the last 10 meetings have also ended level

The last time these sides met at Turner’s Cross, City triumphed by a single goal thanks to a penalty from Fahrudin Kuduzovic

BETTING

Cork City 8/13; Draw 5/2; Bray Wanderers 9/2.

PREDICTION

Cork City 2-0 Bray Wanderers

Cork City Injury News: Stephen Mulcahy, Neal Horgan, Kevin Murray, John Dunleavy

Cork City Suspension News: None

Bray Wanderers Injury News: Adam Mitchell, Shane O’Connor, Stephen Brennan

Bray Wanderers Suspension News: Dane Massey