Bray Wanderers VS Finn Harps Match Prediction
- 2017-07-28
- 18:45:00
Bray Wanderers will win this match.
After an eight-year gap between playing each other, Bray Wanderers have won three of the last five games against Finn Harps, while Finn have won the other two - none of the last 11 League of Ireland Premier Division fixtures between the two have been drawn. Bray have beaten the Harps twice already this season, 5-3 at home and 3-0 away. Here are the results of their last five matches:
May 12, 2017: Finn Harps 0-3 Bray Wanderers
Mar 03, 2017: Bray Wanderers 5-3 Finn Harps
Oct 07, 2016: Finn Harps 2-1 Bray Wanderers
Jul 16, 2016: Bray Wanderers 1-0 Finn Harps
Apr 15, 2016: Finn Harps 1-0 Bray Wanderers
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Both sides have shipped a lot of goals so far this season, and while Bray Wanderers are in poor form they can look to the eight goals they have already put past Finn Harps in 2017 and take confidence.
The hosts have lost three in a row, meaning the odds on a home win are more generous than they might otherwise have been.
Finn Harps' good form could point to them upsetting those odds on Friday, but with home advantage Bray Wanderers can put their recent woes behind them in what is sure to be an open game.
Gary McCabe has been in good goalscoring form up front, and will be the key man as he looks to add to his 14 for the season on Friday.
Bray Wanderers can be backed at evens to win with Betfair as a result of their poor recent form but they still start Friday's game as favourites.
The best price on both teams to score is from Bet365, who are offering 3/4, and after eight goals in this fixture earlier in the season it is worth backing more goals on Friday.
Bray Wanderers to win and both teams to score is 3/1 with Betfair, while William Hill are offering just 2/5 on Finn Harps netting in Friday's fixture.
Betfair are offering 9/4 on there being more than 3.5 goals on Friday, and those odds improve to 5/1 for there being more than 4.5.
Bray Wanderers are in poor form, but have beaten Finn Harps twice this season and can make that three out of three on Friday.
Despite their poor form, Bray have kept a largely consistent starting XI this season. Jason Marks has replaced Anthony Flood for the last two matches, but the latter could return to play up front on Friday.
Gary McCabe's strike in the 3-1 defeat to St Patrick's Athletic last time out was his 14th of the season for Bray Wanderers.
Bray's 3-1 defeat at St Patrick's Athletic was their third consecutive loss, following home defeats to Cork City and Dundalk prior to that. Those three losses ended a brief resurgence, which had seen Bray win 3-2 at home to Derry and 2-1 at Galway United.
Goalkeeper:Cherrie
Defenders:Douglas, Lynch, Kenna, Sullivan
Midfielders:Brennan, Buckley, Salmon, Greene
Forwards:McCabe, Flood
French forward Ibrahim Keita made his first start since signing from Greek team Doxa Proskyniton, replacing Danny Morrissey up front against Derry City. Winger Paddy McCourt also missed that game.
Finn Harps will hope new signing Ibrahim Keita can fill the void left by top scorer Ciaran O'Connor's departure, with the former Wolves striker once a highly-rated teenage prospect.
Monday night's late 2-0 defeat at home to Derry City was Finn Harps first defeat in three games, following back-to-back wins away at Drogheda, who they beat 2-0, and 2-1 at home to Bohemians. Resurgent Finn Harps have won four and drawn one of their last eight games, having previously lost six in a row.
Goalkeeper:Gallagher
Defenders:McNulty, Cantwell, Mailey, Coll
Midfielders:McAleer, Boyle, Harkin, Houston
Forwards:Keita, Dsane