League Preview: Bray Wanderers -v- Shamrock Rovers

BRAY WANDERERS

Bray Wanderers' first game in two weeks sees the Seagulls host Shamrock Rovers at the Carlisle Grounds (kick-off 7.45pm).

Gary Cronin's side were out of action last week owing to their elimination from the FAI Cup.

Their last game saw the Seagulls fall to a 3-1home defeat to Dundalk, a scoreline that obscures an impressive second-half performance that saw them threaten to take a point

Patrick Hoban and Robbie Benson put Dundalk 2-0 up at the break, and Jake Kelly pulled one back early in the second half before former Seagulls Dylan Connolly settled the tie.

“I’m excited about tonight’s game,” Cronin told the club's website.

“We have another chance to go head to head with another massive club with an established full time set up.

“I said it for our last home game against Dundalk, coaches and players should always want to play against the best teams and tonight is another great opportunity for us to perform against a top side.

“Myself and the players are looking forward to the challenge tonight and very much hungry for the game after not having a fixture last week.”

Hugh Douglas and Andrew McGovern are out for the season, while Jake Ellis and Byron O'Gorman are doubts, but Darragh Gibbons returns from suspension.

SHAMROCK ROVERS

Shamrock Rovers moved back within a point of third-placed Waterford with a 2-1 win over league leaders Dundalk at Oriel Park.

A controversial late penalty from Dylan Watts won the game after Michael Duffy had cancelled out Roberto Lopes' early header.

It was the Hoops' first win in three having gone out of the FAI Cup to Drogheda United before losing the derby at home to Bohemians in the league.

“We have to go there with the same mindset as Dundalk, approach the game the exact same way and look to go and try and win the game,” Stephen Bradley told the club's website.

“We know what we have to do, perform with the same intensity as we did in Dundalk. If we do that the result will look after itself.

“It was important to get back to doing what we’re good at it.

“We hadn’t done that for the two previous games so it was important to do what we had been doing, what put us on a good run, and I felt we did that.”

Sean Boyd, Luke Byrne and Dave McAllister all remain on the injured list but Bradley has no other absentees.

Referee: Robert Hennessey.

MATCH STATS

The sides have met three times this season, with the home side winning out on each occasion.

The two games in Tallaght have gone overwhelming in the Hoops' favour, with 6-0 and 5-0 scorelines respectively.

The sole meeting at the Carlisle Grounds saw Bray pick up their first win of the season thanks to Rónán Coughlan, who has since joined Cork City.

14 of Bray's 15 points this season have come at the Carlisle Grounds.

BETTING

Bray Wanderers 10/1; Draw 4/1; Shamrock Rovers 1/4.

PREDICTION

Bray Wanderers 0 – 1 Shamrock Rovers

Bray Wanderers

Injured: Hugh Douglas, Andrew McGovern.

Doubtful: Jake Ellis, Byron O'Gorman.

Suspended: None.

Shamrock Rovers

Injured: Sean Boyd, Luke Byrne, Dave McAllister.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.