UCD 4 - 3 Bray Wanderers - PREVIEW | 2021 League of Ireland First Division | extratime.com - The Home of Irish Football

- The UCD Bowl
Referee:

League Preview: UCD -v- Bray Wanderers

Andrew Dempsey
Fri, Sep 03 2021

UCD

UCD will be looking to maintain their impressive run of form on Friday night as they take on Bray Wanderers at the UCD Bowl (kick-off is at 7.45pm).

The Students are in fine form at the moment, with an FAI Cup win over Longford Town underlying their rise in recent weeks.

UCD ran out 2-1 winners over their beleaguered Premier Division opponents, with Colm Whelan’s superb winner the difference.

Whelan, however, will be out of tonight’s game due to an international call for the Ireland under-21 side.

Whelan’s UCD teammate Evan Caffrey is also due to go on international duty for the Ireland under-19 squad during this window.

Besides the unavailability of Whelan and Caffrey, UCD have a fully fit squad to choose from ahead of tonight’s game.

Evan Weir will miss out due to suspension after picking up five yellow cards.

BRAY WANDERERS

While a title charge is arguably beyond them, Bray Wanderers will be looking to all but seal their place in the playoffs as they get set to visit UCD at the Belfield Bowl this evening.

The Seagulls are unbeaten against UCD in seven games, and their most recent 4-0 win was important in terms of getting their season back on track.

They also played at the Bowl earlier this season, with neither side able to break the deadlock in a 0-0 draw.

“We’re on a good run of form,” Bray boss Gary Cronin told the Wicklow People. “We’re nine unbeaten and we haven’t been beaten since Shels beat us so that’s not too bad.

“But we just want to convert more results into wins between now and the end of the season and I think we’ll be alright for the play-offs. But it’s easy to say that.”

Bray have a number of absentees for tonight’s game due to suspensions and international call ups.

Brian Maher is unavailable due to his involvement with the Ireland under-21 squad. Meanwhile, Dylan Barnett, Conor Clifford and Richie O’Farrell are all suspended.

Referee: Oliver Moran.

MATCH STATS

UCD have not defeated Bray Wanderers at in seven attempts, with their most recent win over the Seagulls at the Bowl coming in 2012.

Bray Wanderers are unbeaten in their last nine league games. Their last defeat came at home to Shelbourne in June.

Andy Myler’s side are also in good form, unbeaten in seven. Their last defeat came away to Treaty United at the Market’s Field.

BETTING

UCD 5/4; Draw 23/10; Bray Wanderers 7/4.

PREDICTION

UCD 2 - 1 Bray Wanderers

UCD

Injured: None.

Doubtful: None.