FAI Cup Preview: UCD -v- Bray Wanderers

UCD

UCD welcome Bray Wanderers to the UCD Bowl this evening in the second round of the Irish Daily Mail FAI Cup.

May has been a mixed month for UCD so far after going down 3-1 away to lowly Waterford United, they reacted superbly and defeated promotion rivals Cobh Ramblers 3-1 last week.

This will be the second time these two sides have met each other in cup competitions this season after Bray knocked out the Students 2-0 in the EA Sports Cup.

Speaking on that game, UCD boss Collie O’Neill was disappointed with his sides’ performance and is hoping that if they can stick to their game plan, they will get something from the game.

“I was disappointed with our performance against them earlier in the season, and they were fully deserving of their victory. This time around the pre-match expectations will be no different as being the Premier Division side they are always going to be the favourites. Despite that, we will be looking to play our own game and take the game to them and see where that gets us.”

O’Neill also spoke of the delight of his sides’ performance last week against Cobh and is hopeful that they can carry that momentum into tonight’s game.

“I thought we played a lot better last week, particularly in the second half, moving the ball a lot quicker than we have been and always looking a threat going forward. We will be looking to build on that performance tonight, however it’s important that we stick to our own game, don’t get frustrated when we don’t have the ball and look to impose ourselves when we do have it.”

On the injury front, Brian Shortall continues his stint on the injury list as he recovers from a hamstring injury while Cathal Brady also misses out as he recovers from broken ribs.

Mark Langtry will also be absent as he fights a bout of tonsillitis while UCD’s joint top scorers this season captain Gary O’Neill and Maxi Kouogan face late fitness tests after picking up knocks against Cobh.

BRAY WANDERERS

Bray have been on a miserable run of late and will welcome this cup game with open arms as they look to change their fortunes.

Harry Kenny’s first game in charge was a highly-impressive 1-0 home win against St Patrick’s Athletic but since then Wanderers have lost their last six games in all-competitions and they currently sit in 11^th place level with basement side Longford Town on 7 points.

However, Bray’s performances in cup games this season have been a lot more promising. In the EA Sports Cup, they opened with a comfortable 2-0 win against UCD before grinding out a 4-2 win over Bluebell United after extra-time.

Their quarter-final game against St Pat’s also went to extra-time and despite coming from behind twice, a Mark Timlin goal in the 113^th minute eventually saw off the battling Seagulls.

They also reached the quarter-finals of the Leinster Senior Cup but were eliminated by an inspired performance from AUL side Collinstown FC.

Referee: James McKell

MATCH STATS

UCD haven’t progressed beyond this round of the FAI Cup since 2012 when they eliminated Phoenix 3-1 before going down 1-0 to Derry City in the next round.

Bray’s fortunes in this competition have been much more impressive and they went all the way to the semi-final stage last season before being edged out by Cork City in a 1-0 defeat.

These sides are quite matched when looking at the head-to-head stats. With exactly 50 games played between the sides, Bray have won 18 while UCD have won 17 with 15 draws between the pairing.

Bray are two-time FAI Cup winners having lifted the crown in 1990 and 1999 while UCD also have an FAI Cup win to their name when they defeated Shamrock Rovers 2-1 in the 1984 final.

BETTING

UCD 7/2; Draw 5/2; Bray Wanderers 3/4.

PREDICTION

UCD 2-1 Bray Wanderers

UCD

Injured: Brian Shortall, Cathal Brady, Mark Langtry

Doubtful: Gary O’Neill, Maxi Kouogan

Suspended: None.

Bray Wanderers

Injured: Unkown

Doubtful: Unkown

Suspended: None.