League Preview: Cork City - V - Bray Wanderers

CORK CITY  

  Cork City welcome Bray Wanderers to Turners Cross in a rescheduled tie on Tuesday evening (kick-off 7.45pm) as they aim to increase the pressure on league leaders Dundalk.

To do so, however, they'll have to overcome the league's form side, and manager John Caulfield is in no doubt that his side will face a tough battle.

“Bray are going fantastically well; Harry Kenny has done a fantastic job there,” Caulfield said at his weekly press conference.

“They are top of the form table in the second third of the season, so it shows how well they have done in their last ten games, including wins over Dundalk and St. Pat’s.”

“Harry has changed their shape, brought a few new players in and they have stopped giving away goals. They have a very strong back four and Dylan Connolly up top has been on fire for them.

“It will be a really difficult game for us and we are aware of that, so we need to play very well. The team have done well this year and they have worked hard. The run-in is on and we need to treat every game from now as a cup final.”

“We have twelve games to go and they are all massive games now. We have a number of players coming back from injury, so the bench is getting stronger again.”

Greg Bolger is suspended, while Alan Smith and John Dunleavy are out for the season. Danny Morrissey returns from injury, but there are doubts over Alan Bennett and Steven Beattie.

BRAY WANDERERS

Bray arrive on Leeside having extended their unbeaten run to nine games with a 2-2 draw at home to Derry City on Saturday.

It could have been even better for the Seagulls as they led early in the game through Dylan Connolly, but goals either side of half-time for Derry meant Connolly's second could only rescue a draw.

With a cushion of six points – plus two games in hand – over Wexford Youths in the relegation play-off spot, so Harry Kenny's side aren't under pressure to get a result.

However, the significance of extending the unbeaten run into double figures would be huge in terms of ensuring they can secure Premier Division football as soon as possible and target the clubs above them.

Referee: Tomás Connolly.

MATCH STATS

The sides have met just once so far this season, as late goals from Sean Maguire and Karl Sheppard saw City overcome a dogged defensive performance from Bray to take the three points at the Carlisle Grounds.

The Seagulls' form has improved markedly since that game, and a short few weeks later they began a remarkable run of form that's seen them beat Dundalk, St Patrick's Athletic and Galway United and draw with Shamrock Rovers.

City's form in the league is also impressive, with just one loss since March, at home to Sligo Rovers earlier this month, and six wins in their last ten games.

BETTING

Cork City 1/3; Draw 7/2; Bray Wanderers 17/2.

PREDICTION

Cork City 2 - 1 Bray Wanderers.

Cork City

Injured: John Dunleavy, Alan Smith.

Doubtful: Alan Bennett, Steven Beattie.

Suspended: Greg Bolger.

Bray Wanderers

Injured: Unknown.

Doubtful: Unknown.

Suspended: None.