League Preview: Sligo Rovers -v- Bray Wanderers

• John O'Shea
• Fri, May 16 2014




SLIGO ROVERS

There is sure to be a brilliant mood around Sligo on Saturday evening following Sligo’s Setanta Cup success at Tallaght Stadium on Saturday evening. Paul O Conor scored the only goal in a 1-0 win in the final over Dundalk, which meant that Sligo secured their first piece of silverware of the 2014 season.

 

All associated with the side from the West of Ireland will be hoping that getting a trophy at this stage of the season will mean Sligo can go forward in confidence and start to close the gap on the sides at the top of the league.

 

The Bit O’Red have really started to hit top form in the past few weeks and are very likely to be among the main title contenders.

 

Gavin Peers and Raffaele Cretaro remain out long term, while Alan Keane and Joseph Ndo are doubts. Ndo limped off during the Setanta Cup final with a calf injury.

 

BRAY WANDERERS 

Manager Alan Mathews and his players are all in a positive frame of mine heading into the clash with Sligo, following Bray’s 1-0 win at home to Limerick last time out. Bray come into their trip to Sligo in fifth place in the table with their good home record going down very well with the Wicklow side’s supporters. There is no doubt that Mathews, the Bray players and the supporters will be hoping this good form can continue over the season.

 

Speaking ahead of the game on Saturday night, Mathews said, "It's another three points another clean sheet and another game where we worked really really hard to get the win. We will take the confidences from last week’s win over Limerick F.C. to Sligo with us and see where that takes us". 

 

Jake Kelly (ankle) and defender Shane O'Connor (hamstring) are both injured for the game while Adam Mitchell and Niall Cooney are both suspended for the trip to the Showgrounds.

 

Referee: Anthony Buttimer 

 

 

MATCH STATS

Bray have kept five clean sheets in their last six League outings and have scored five goals.

 

In their first home game of the season Bray recorded a 1-0 victory over Sligo.

 

Sligo won both of the league games at home to Bray in  the 2013 season.

 

 

BETTING

Sligo Rovers 3/10; Draw 15/4; Bray Wanderers 9/1.

 

PREDICTION

Sligo Rovers 2 - 0  Bray Wanderers 

 

 

Sligo Rovers

Injured: Raffaele Cretaro, Gavin Peers
Doubtful:  Alan Keane, Joseph Ndo
Suspended: None

 

Bray Wanderers 

Injured: Jake Kelly, Shane O Connor
Doubtful:
Suspended: Niall Cooney, Adam Mitchell