EA Sports Cup Preview: Bray Wanderers -v- Waterford

BRAY WANDERERS

An EA Sports Cup Semi-Final spot is on the line at the Carlisle Grounds on Monday evening as First Division Bray host Premier Division Waterford. (Kick-off is at 7.45pm)

The Seagulls come into Monday’s game in a rich vein of form, with three wins in a row for Gary Cronin’s side.

In recent weeks, Bray have overcome the challenges of Athlone, Galway and Wexford with only two goals conceded.

Speaking after his side’s two-one win over Wexford on Friday evening, Cronin admits that he is hoping that his side can trouble the Blues at the Quinsborough Road venue.

“We’ve looked at these fourteen days as a squad and it was always going to be tough for us with five games.

“We saw it as a challenge, and we looked forward to it. We’ve had three wins against Athlone, Galway and Wexford and now we can focus fully on Waterford.

“It will be a great occasion for us. We’re playing against a strong Premier Division side and I have to manage the squad accordingly.

“There’s going to be a few sore legs and we just have to manage our minutes. We’ll look to give ourselves as good a chance as possible to win some silverware and we’ll look to give Waterford a good run on Monday.”

The Wanderers have not released any team news, although they will not have any suspensions to contend with.

WATERFORD

Waterford will be looking to build on their most recent win over UCD on Friday when they travel to Co. Wicklow on Monday evening to face second tier Bray.

Zach Elbouzedi’s opener proved to be enough on Friday as the Blues secured their first win over the Students since 2017.

The South-East outfit saw off Galway United 2-1 in the previous round as Dean Walsh and Cory Galvin both got on the scoresheet for Alan Reynolds’ side.

Speaking to WaterfordFC.ie ahead of Monday’s clash with Bray Wanderers, manager Alan Reynolds revealed that he will put out a strong against their First Division opposition.

“I was happy with the result [against UCD]. The crowd got behind us, we scored one and could have scored more, kept a clean sheet and got the points which was the main thing. We surrendered possessions at times but on chances, we deserved it.

“Bray are doing well, they’re only a few points off the top of the First Division so we have some idea of what to expect. It’s a chance to get to a semi-final so we’ll be putting out a strong team; everybody wants to push for a trophy so this will be a good chance, but it won’t be easy.

In terms of team news for the Blues, Kenny Browne is rated as doubtful after a long injury lay off.

Zack Elbouzedi is also a doubt while Kevin Lynch and Dean Walsh will both miss out again. Shane Duggan returns from suspension in a brief respite for the visitors.

Referee: Robert Harvey.

MATCH STATS

Bray have not beaten Waterford in a competitive outing since 2007. The Seagulls 2-1 defeat of the Blues proved decisive on that occasion in their battle to survive the drop.

There have been over 2.5 goals in four of Waterford’s previous five league outings, with only their most recent win over UCD failing to break the barrier set in recent weeks.

There are four current members of the current Bray side who were members of the Waterford FC side who won the 2017 First Division.

Paul Keegan, Dean O’Halloran, Dylan Barnett and Derek Daly all played a pivotal role in securing the Blues passage to the Premier Division for the first time since 2007.

BETTING

Bray Wanderers 5/1; Draw 11/4; Waterford 4/9.

PREDICTION

Bray Wanderers 1-2 Waterford

Bray Wanderers

Injured: Unavailable.

Doubtful: Unavailable.

Suspended: None.

Waterford

Injured: Kevin Lynch, Dean Walsh.

Doubtful: Kenny Browne, Zach Elbouzedi.

Suspended: None.