League Preview: Shamrock Rovers -v- Bray Wanderers

• Dave Donnelly
• Tue, Sep 22 2015




SHAMROCK ROVERS

Shamrock Rovers welcome Bray Wanderers to Tallaght Stadium (kick-off 8pm) looking to arrest a dire run of form that has seen them fail to win any of their last four games.

 

Manager Pat Fenlon has set a target of catching second-placed Cork City, but two wins and two draws has seen the gap between the sides stretch to seven points, and Rovers will be more worried about EA Sports Cup St Patrick's Athletic, who remain just two points behind in the race for the final European spot.

 

“We put in a good performance in Derry on Friday but we didn't take our chances,” Fenlon told the club website. “We had three chances to score and we didn't make them count. The next three league games are in Tallaght, we want make home advantage count."

 

Fenlon has Dave Webster and Danny North available again following knee and groin injuries, but there are doubts over Luke Byrne and Marty Waters after they picked up knocks in the loss to Derry City.

 

BRAY WANDERERS        

Bray Wanderers's fine late-season form contined on Saturday with a 2-2 draw at home to on-fire Limerick, thanks to an impressive double from midfielder Ryan McEvoy.

 

The point lifted the Seagulls one point closer to safety and Mick Cooke's side will be confident of at least matching that result agains the misfiring Hoops, and Cooke will be able to welcome back key players in defender Hugh Douglas and winger Dave Scully after serving suspensions at the weekend.

 

Goalkeeper Stephen McGuinness is the only confirmed absentee as he continues his recovery from a serious ankle injury.

 

Referee: Unknown.

 

MATCH STATS

Shamrock Rovers and Bray Wanderers have met just once this season, as goals from Mikey Drennan, Ryan Brennan and Max Blanchard brought the Hoops a 3-0 win at the Carlisle Grounds in April.

 

Shamrock Rovers have won their last four home games against Bray – a fifth would set a new record – while Mick Cooke is winless against Shamrock Rovers in 15 attempts as a manager/

 

BETTING

Shamrock Rovers 4/9; Draw 3/1; Bray Wanderers 11/4.

 

PREDICTION

Shamrock Rovers 0 – 0 Bray Wanderers

 

Shamrock Rovers

Injured: None.

Doubtful: Luke Byrne, Marty Waters.

Suspended: None.

 

Bray Wanderers

Injured: Stephen McGuinness (ankle).

Doubtful: Unknown.

Suspended: None.