League Preview: Galway United -v- Bray Wanderers

GALWAY UNITED

The Tribesmen are still languishing in the relegation zone and have only gained one point from their last three games as they host Bray Wanderers on Friday night (kick-off 7.45pm).

Galway drew 1-1 with Connacht rivals Sligo Rovers last week in the Showgrounds after a Stephen Folan goal was required to cancel out Jonah Ayunga’s opener.

Manager Shane Keegan is optimistic about Bray Wanderer’s visit to Eamonn Deacy Park, however.

"Bray are flying. It was a great result for them last week against Derry, but yet there is a few things that would give you hope,” the manager told the club’s website.

"They're conceding quite a few goals at the moment. We would like to think that we might have enough about us to try and cause them problems from that perspective.

“They are fantastic going forward. You look at the likes of Gary McCabe, Aaron Greene and Dylan Connolly.

"There is no doubt that our best performances this season have come at home against the teams who are up around the top of the table and we will be hoping that trend continues on Friday.

"We've struggled a bit when the onus has been on us to be on the front foot. We have to be able to take control of the game in periods, we can't be defensive, but when it is put up to us, it's very important that we get our defensive set up right."

Keegan has a clean bill of health for tomorrow night’s game but will miss Marc Ludden on the left-hand side of his defence after he was sent off against Sligo Rovers last weekend.

BRAY WANDERERS

Third-placed Bray Wanderers travel to Eamonn Deacy Park after picking up their first league win in six last week against Derry City.

The Seagulls defeated Derry 3-2 at The Carlisle Grounds on Friday and it took a late goal from Tim Clancy to see off one of their rivals for that third spot in the Premier Division.

Manager Harry Kenny is looking to keep that momentum going in Friday night’s game against relegation-threatened Galway.

“We were delighted to secure the three points against a very good Derry City team last Friday and will be looking to build on that this weekend,” he said.

A win would see the Wicklow side keep their position in third but they’re in danger of being leap-frogged by Shamrock Rovers and Derry City should they win their games this weekend.

Bray are without the services of Mark Salmon and Keith Buckley due to injury but Harry Kenny will be comforted by the return of John Sullivan and Dylan Connolly from suspension.

Referee: Paul Tuite

MATCH STATS

Galway United and Bray Wanderers will meet for the 54^th time tomorrow night.

Should The Seagulls win they will equal Galway’s winning record of 22 victories over them.

Bray have won five of their last six visits to Eamonn Deacy Park with their last defeat, in Galway, a 4-0 loss in March 2016.

BETTING

Galway United 7/4; Draw 13/5; Bray Wanderers 11/8.

PREDICTION

Galway United 1-2 Bray Wanderers.

Galway United

Injured: None.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: Marc Ludden.

Bray Wanderers

Injured: None.

Doubtful: Mark Salmon, Keith Buckley.

Suspended: None.