League Preview: Derry City -v- Bray Wanderers

• Gareth O'Reilly
• Sat, Jul 12 2014




DERRY CITY

Peter Hutton's side will no doubt be in confident mood heading into this clash with 10th place Bray Wanderers. The game at the Brandywell is due to get underway on Sunday evening at 17.00.

 

The Candystripes are fresh off the back of a fantastic 5-0 win over Aberystwyth Town with a 9-0 victory on aggregate showing the gulf in class that exists between the leagues in Wales and the Republic Of Ireland.

 

One man that will head into this league clash in tip top form is Rory Patterson, who on Thursday night in Wales became the first ever Irish player to score a hat-trick in European competition.

 

Speaking upon his return to Ireland Peter Hutton was keen to urge his side that their game against Bray is just as if not more important than any European game.

 

"We had the lads back in training this morning after our trip to Wales on Thursday, and despite all the travelling and short recovery time they were all ready to go. They understand that it's important that we keep the high level of concentration that we have shown in the last couple of weeks if we are to continue on this run. This is the bread and butter of the league and in order to make sure we can compete in Europe next season we need to continue picking up vital points. We have shown over the last number of home games that we are more than capable of beating anybody in this league and do it while playing good football, which is something that we are looking to keep going against what will be a tough Bray Wanderers side."

 

On the suspensions front, Cliff Byrne and Ryan McBride will be forced to sit this one out with the former set to serve a two game additional suspension for a red card offence.

 

Hutton also plans to rest Patrick McEleney as he has shown signs of suffering from a tight hamstring.

 

BRAY WANDERERS

Alan Mathew's men travel north to take on Derry City on Sunday evening with the game having been moved from the Friday to the Sunday in order to accommodate Derry's European adventure.

 

Bray's early form has fallen away somewhat as the Seagulls suffered a disappointing 3-1 defeat last time out against struggling Drogheda United. Mathew's speaking about that game admitted that he could have no complaints about the final result.

 

“If you don't play to a certain level you get punished and we got punished".

 

The seaside club were also left annoyed with the FAI after they were unable to name either Joe Gorman or Gareth McDonagh in their side due to administrative complications.

 

Mathew's has issued a rallying cry to his players to turn in a much better performance on Sunday.

 

“We know where we are, the table doesn't lie and we've a lot of work to do,”

 

On the team news side of things Adam Mitchell is set to miss out due to his sending off last week against Drogheda whilst Dave Webster will also miss out as he is still recovering from a broken bone in his foot. However there is some good news as Niall Cooney is once again available having recovered from an illness that ruled him out of last Friday's game.

 

Referee: Paul Tuite

 

 

MATCH FACTS

Derry City are just one goal away from converting their 100th league goal against the Seagulls.

 

Derry are undefeated against the Wanderers in their last 15 clashes with the County Wicklow side.

 

History does not favour Bray in this tie as it took the Seagulls 16 matches over the course of 15 years to finally overcome the Candystipes with that win coming on August 18th 2000.

 

BETTING

Derry City 8/15 Draw 11/4 Bray Wanderers 5/1

 

PREDICTION

Derry City 3-1 Bray Wanderers

 

 

Derry City

Injured: Patrick McEleney (hamstring)
Doubtful: None
Suspended: Cliff Byrne, Ryan McBride

 

Bray Wanderers

Injured: Dave Webster (foot)
Doubtful: None
Suspended: Adam Mitchell