UCD -v- Bray Wanderers

• Gareth O'Reilly
• Fri, Jun 07 2013




UCD

UCD welcome neighbours Bray Wanderers to the UCD Bowl on Saturday evening for a game that is a vital fixture for both clubs. The teams are currently tied on 14 points with Bray just ahead on goal difference. Last weekend saw the Students eliminated from the FAI Cup at the hands of league leaders Pats. To make matters worse, their interest in all this season’s silverware ended when they were dumped out of the Leinster Senior Cup by Shelbourne.


 

The Students may be in buoyant mood depending on how their exams went as the results came out on Friday morning. Martin Russell however may be scratching his head as centre backs Thomas Boyle and long term absentee and captain Mick Leahy are ruled out along with the managers son Sean Russell.


 

Speaking ahead of the game Russell is under no illusions as to how tough this game might be.

 

"Bray have gained both points and momentum in winning their last two league games and drawing against champions Sligo. It leaves us with the realisation that nothing other than a real performance of effort and quality is required this evening."


 

BRAY WANDERERS

Bray have been on a great run of form of late. The seaside club have only lost once in their last seven fixtures with that defeat coming at the hands of Bohemians in the EA Sports Cup. This fantastic run has meant that a four game unbeaten streak in the league has pushed the Seagulls on up to ninth position in the Premier Division.


 

Shane O'Neill and Eoin Hyland, who are both long term absentees, will once again have to watch this game from the stands. Brothers Kevin and Dave O’Connor, who have both being missing in action in recent weeks, are expected to make a return albeit from the bench. Manager Pat Devlin therefore had every reason to be in positive mood with a near full strength squad to select from.


 

Referee: Sean Grant


 

MATCH FACTS

The Students have been unable to keep a clean sheet against the Seagulls in the past 11 meetings between the sides.


 

Amazingly UCD and Bray have not played out a scoreless draw in the past 32 games between them in all competitions.


 

A win for either side has the potential to move them up 8th position while a defeat could send either side down to 11th.


 

BETTING

UCD 3/1; Draw 4/1; Bray  Wanderers 7/2.


 

PREDICTION

This game has a draw written all over it so I am going for a repeat of the result that happened out at the start of the season 2-2.


 

UCD

Injured: Mick Leahy, Thomais Boyle, Sean Russell.

Suspended: None.


 

Bray Wanderers

Injured: Shane O’Neill, Eoin Hyland.

Suspended: None.