Bray Wanderers -v- Shamrock Rovers

• Finbarr O'Sullivan
• Fri, Jul 10 2009


With half of the season gone, bottom of the table Bray Wanderers will be hoping to continue this season's unbeaten run against Shamrock Rovers when both sides meet at the Carlisle Grounds on Friday night.

In the two games between the teams this season, the Seagulls have avoided defeat, drawing 0-0 at home and beating the Hoops 1-0 at Tallaght Stadium.

Wanderers go into this game missing three players. Chris Shields is suspended after his sending-off against Bohemians last week. Chris Deans and Colm Tresson also miss out with heel and hamstring injuries respectively. There also doubts on the fitness of Gary McCabe and Gareth Coughlan who will both face late fitness tests.

Bray manager Eddie Gormley has no illusions about he task at hand: "Once again it will be a tough assignment and it will be a difficult night for us. I still have great faith in my group of young lads and I hope they can show everyone just how committed they are on Friday night."

Rovers going into this match with doubts over the availability of Darragh Maguire, Ollie Cahill, Stephen Bradley and Sean O'Connor. There is some good news for the visitors as Stephen Rice is available again after suspension.

Rovers boss Michael O'Neill is quietly confident ahead of the match: "They are very much our bogey team so far this season. We were very disappointed to lose against them at home, but we haven't lost a game since, which shows how well the players reacted to that result. We know it'll be a tough game. They were a little unfortunate to lose 3-1 to Bohemians last week. They're a young, hungry and enthusiastic team - but we'll be going there looking for three points."

The match referee will be Anthony Buttimer. Kick-off is at 7.45pm.

Extratime.ie prediction: 0-1. Wanderers have the upper hand in clashes between these two this season but it looks as if tomorrow's squad will be too depleted to cope with an in-form Rovers side.