19.30 2 Jul 2016 -
Referee: Graham Kelly
League Preview: Bray Wanderers -v- Wexford Youths
- Dave Donnelly
- Sat, Jul 02 2016
BRAY WANDERERS
Bray Wanderers will hope to gain a first win in 11 games when they welcome relegation rivals Wexford Youths to the Carlisle Ground on Saturday (kick-off 7.30pm).
The Seagulls suffered narrow reverses to champions Dundalk and Galway United before the mid-season break, but have posted scoreless draws in their last two meetings with Sligo Rovers and Longford Town.
With caretaker manager Harry Kenny now ensconced in a permanent role, Bray will hope to kick on and put some points on the board, beginning with the first visit of promoted Wexford in the Premier Division.
Kenny will be able to call on new signings Tim Clancy and John Sullivan for the tie, and has no major injuries or suspensions.
WEXFORD YOUTHS
Three defeats on the bounce for Wexford Youths has seen them drawn back into the relegation dogfight as they sit just three points above today's hosts in tenth place.
Shane Keegan will be hoping for a repeat of the first league meeting between the sides, when Youths won 2-0 at Ferrycarrig Park in April.
"We gave a really good account of ourselves up in Derry but we need to develop a bit more cuteness to make sure we start turning good performances into points.
“We've shown some real quality in recent games and we're confident that we're going to deliver in a big way this weekend."
"Bray have made a really good appointment in Harry Kenny and they've picked up two good draws in their last two games so we know the size of the challenge ahead of us.
“But I know from training this week that our players are up for this one and are really looking forward to it."
Keegan will be without injured pair Lee Grace and Aidan Keenan for the game, but Peter Higgins may feature for the first time this season having recovered from injury.
Referee: Graham Kelly.
MATCH STATS
The April Fools Day tie was the first meeting between the two teams in the league, as Youths ran out 2-0 winners thanks to a brace from Paul Murphy.
BETTING
Bray Wanderers 11/10; Draw 23/10; Wexford Youths 23/10.
PREDICTION
Bray Wanderers 1 – 1 Wexford Youths
Bray Wanderers
Injured: None.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: None.
Wexford Youths
Injured: Lee Grace, Aidan Keenan.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: None.