Bray Wanderers -v- Shelbourne

• Gareth O'Reilly
• Sun, Aug 04 2013




BRAY WANDERERS

A massive relegation game is set to take place out in the Carlisle Grounds this afternoon when Pat Devlin's Bray Wanderers welcome Johnny McDonnell and his Shelbourne side to the seaside. (Kick-off 3.30pm)

 

On the injury front for the Seagulls defender Shane O'Connor is once again going to be forced to take a seat in the stands as his knee injury has failed to recover in time for this fixture. 

 

The positive news however for Bray fans is that apart from O'Connor Pat Devlin has a full squad to choose from. Devlin, speaking ahead of his side's game, made the point that he had taken heart from the spirited defeat last weekend at the hands of Dundalk.

 

"It was a much better performance and we were very unfortunate not to have come away with something. We know it will be tough (on Sunday), we just hope luck is on our side this time and we will be looking for the three points."

 

SHELBOURNE

This is Shels first competitive game since they lifted themselves off the table last weekend with a 3-1 win over a nine man UCD team. Shels are now the form team in the league and you have to look all the way back to June 28th for their last defeat. That defeat came at the hands of reigning League champions Sligo Rovers.

 

This is a massive game for both sides as they sit level on points although Shels do have a four goal advantage. Bray have come out on top in both of the league games played this season. Shels will also have revenge on their minds as it was the Seagulls that dumped them out of the EA Sports Cup although the Drumcondra side did eliminate the seaside club in the FAI Cup. 

 

Shels manager Johnny McDonnell has been keen to stress in recent weeks that it is all about taking one game at a time and that there is now a new found belief among his playing staff.

 

However the injury issues at Tolka Park are continuing to mount as this week it was revealed the Robert Bayly broke down in training with the midfielder set to miss the next few weeks. Bayly will join Mark Leech, Gareth O'Connor and Paul Crowley in an already busy medical room. 

 

McDonnell does have some positive news as his side have managed to go into this game without any suspensions to worry about which is a nice luxury compared with earlier on in the season. New signings Brian Gannon and Paul Andrews are also expected to go straight into the squad for today's afternoon clash.

 

Referee: Paul McLaughlin.

 

MATCH FACTS

Shels have only lost once in their last five league games with three of those games ending in victories for the Tolka Park side.

 

Bray have only scored twice in their last five games although one of those games was their 4-4 thriller with Limerick.

 

Shels have only scored fifteen league goals all season which is the worst out of all Airtricity League clubs.

 

BETTING

Bray Wanderers 13/8, Draw 9/4, Shelbourne 13/8.

 

PREDICTION

Shelbourne are the form side in the league and looked driven under Johnny McDonnell so I see them coming away with a 2-0 win.

 

 

Bray Wanderers

Injured: Shane O'Connor.
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None

 

Shelbourne:

Injured: Paul Crowley, Gareth O'Connor, Mark Leech, Robert Bayly.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: None.