Dundalk -v- Bray Wanderers
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DUNDALK
After slumping to their second defeat in two weeks last weekend, Dundalk will be hoping they can bounce back with a victory against Bray Wanderers this week. Although the Lilywhites were beaten 3-2 last weekend against Cork City, the performance was drastically improved from the previous weeks showing against Bohemians and the signs look good for the Louth side.
Recent results have seen Dundalk slip into the relegation play-off place but they will hope that a win this weekend will move them out of the danger zone and possibly even up to sixth place. Home form will be imperative for the Lilywhites this season although they have picked up more points away from Oriel Park so far this term. If they perform as well as last week there is no reason why they can’t add to their tally of nine points this weekend.
Luke Danville looks set to miss out once again as he recovers from an ankle ligament injury while Derek Foran is a doubt as he is recovering from a back injury. On the plus side for Sean McCaffrey’s men, for the first time this season, it looks like striker Mark Griffin may be fit to at least be in the squad and may even be fit to play some part. Chris Shields will return from suspension having sat out the last two matches but Hernany Macedo is still unavailable.
Speaking to the Dundalk Democrat following last week’s game in Cork, manager Sean McCaffrey spoke about how is team are improving and looked ahead to this week’s match against Bray Wanderers.
“I think we’ll do well and finish mid-table at least and get a run in the FAI Cup. The boys are starting to find their feet now, you can see that. They’re starting to play with composure. When you see a team doing that, the signs are good. I’ll have no worries about us surviving when we get back to full strength.
“If we play like that (against Cork) every week we’ll be fine. I don’t think we’re that far away from a good side. It’s not going to be easy against Bray but we’re well capable of beating them.“
BRAY WANDERERS
Bray Wanderers travel to Oriel Park on Friday night looking to win their third match on the spin. After securing victories away to Monaghan and home to Bohemians in successive weeks, the Seagulls will be in confident mood as they go looking for their third victory from five visits to Oriel Park.
The Wicklow outfit have been highly impressive in recent weeks. Not only have they recorded victories over Bohemians and Monaghan United, they also held reigning league champions Shamrock Rovers to a 2-2 draw at the Carlisle Grounds three weeks ago having led 2-0 at one point. Bray are very much a team in form and any repeat of these performances puts them in with a good chance of victory on Friday night.
Bray Wanderers have the luxury of having no injury worries ahead of the trip north and they welcome back Shane O’Connor to their squad after he came through their Leinster Senior Cup tie against St. Patrick’s CY on Monday evening. Adam Mitchell is also in contention as he returns from a head injury suffered against Drogheda United earlier this season.
After victory over Bohemians last time out, director of football Pat Devlin spoke about how important it was to pick up these points and also looked ahead to the game against Dundalk this weekend.
“They were a valuable three points to get on the board although we have played better and lost. It’s a difficult assignment against Dundalk at Oriel Park but hopefully we can get a result.”
Referee: Paul Tuite.
MATCH STATS
Dundalk’s last home victory over Bray Wanderers was on June 5th 2009. Dundalk ran out 3-0 winners that day. Since then the Seagulls have amassed two victories and three draws in their subsequent visits to Oriel Park.
Dundalk have four former Bray Wanderers players in their 2012 squad – Derek Foran, Gareth Coughlan, Chris Shields and Shane O’Neill. While Bray only have the one former Lilywhite, Jason Byrne.
Jason Byrne has amassed six goals in ten league games for Bray this season, the same amount the entire Dundalk team have managed in their ten league games.
BETTING
Dundalk 15/8; Draw 11/5; Bray Wanderers 7/5.
PREDICTION
Despite their contrasting form, Dundalk are improving and both teams are very similar. It will be difficult to separate them so an entertaining score draw, 2-2.
Dundalk Injury News: Luke Danville. Doubts - Derek Foran, Mark Griffin.
Dundalk Suspension News: None.
Bray Injury News: None.
Bray Suspension News: None.
