League Preview: Bray Wanderers -v- Cork City

Bray Wanderers

Saturday’s hosts will be seeking not only their first point, but also their first SSE Airtricity League goal of the 2015 campaign as they welcome fourth placed Cork City to the Carlisle Grounds for their fifth game of the season.

The winter departures of Jake Kelly (Dundalk) and Ismahil Akinade appear to be hitting the Wicklow club hard, with new signing and Bray local Chris Lyons still trying to open his account for the Seagulls.

It would appear that pressure is beginning to grow on manager Alan Matthews, with rumours in the Seaside town beginning to circulate suggesting a continuation of recent results could see his future discussed at the next board meeting.

Matthews’ task will not be made any easier in the absence of David Cassidy and David Scully, who will both sit the game out through injury. To make things worse, Stephen McGuiness, Alan McNally and Graham Kelly are all doubtful to be fit for the game following their midweek loss to recently promoted Longford Town.

Cork City

City boss John Caulfield will travel to Bray hoping and expecting that his side will claim all three points, and will look to take advantage of the opposition’s weakened squad and lack of confidence.

Despite his intentions of heading home with all three points, Caulfield is cautious ahead of this weekend’s trip and admits he has always found the Carlisle to be a difficult ground to visit.

“The Carlisle Grounds was always a difficult place to go, going back to when I was a player, and Alan’s teams are always difficult opponents.”

The Cork boss will have a couple of injury concerns ahead of the game, as Michael McSweeney, Colin Healy, and Danny Morrissey could all sit the game out.

Referee:Jim McKell

MATCH STATS

The last meeting between the two sides saw Bray reduced to ten men, but still secure a 1-1 draw at Turners Cross, largely thanks to an outstanding performance from Seagulls’ goalkeeper Stephen McGuiness.

The corresponding fixture last season in Bray saw the visitors run out as 2-0 winners.

The two sides have met in the league at the Carlisle Grounds 25 times in total, with Cork winning 12, Bray winning 5, and 8 resulting in draws.

BETTING

Bray Wanderers 7/1; Draw 3/1; Cork City 4/9.

PREDICTION

Bray Wanderers 1-3 Cork City

Bray Wanderers

Injured: David Cassidy, David Scully.

Doubtful: Stephen McGuiness, Alan McNally, Graham Kelly.

Suspended: None.

Cork City

Injured: Michael McSweeney.

Doubtful: Danny Morrissey, Colin Healy.

Suspended: None.