Bohemians vs Bray Wanderers Predictions, Betting Tips and Match Previews

Bray Wanderers are six points adrift at the bottom of the Irish Premier Division table, but do make the trip to Bohemians having picked up three points in their last match. Bohemians are ten points clear of Bray but still sit third from bottom in the table and were heavily beaten at home by Sligo Rovers last Friday. Both sides are in need of the three points, with Bohemians able to move above the side that beat them in their last game if Sligo fail to beat Dundalk on Saturday.

When Bohemians and Bray Wanderers met for their reverse league fixture in May, hosts Bray Wanderers were convincingly beaten in the end, despite retaining the majority of the games possession. Bohemians superior first half finishing is what truly won them this game, and it was Corcoran who got the ball rolling with the opening goal in the seventh minute. Ward added a second shortly after the half hour mark as the visitors gave their hosts a lesson in finishing. Bray did manage to pull a goal back in first half stoppage time to keep the game alive, when McCabe converted a spot kick. The next goal was always going to prove crucial to the final result and when former Leeds United trainee Stokes increased Bohemians league back to two goals with just thirteen minutes to go, the hosts knew their chances of a comeback had come to an end.

Despite sitting bottom of the table and losing last time they played Bohemians, Bray Wanderers head into Friday’s latest encounter as the form favourites. The visitors have won two, drawn one, and lost three of their last six matches, which includes a victory against Sligo Rovers in their last league game. Bohemians have lost four of their last six games, picking up one draw and one win, but do have the home advantage and a great record against Friday’s guests. With a fantastic win ratio of 63% from their sixty-five games against Bray Wanderers, Bohemians clearly enjoy playing against this particular opponent and we’re confident they will pick up three points when the pair clash of Friday. Bray boast the worst attack and defence in the entire Premier Division, so it’s not a surprise to see the visitors languishing at the foot of the table.

Both teams could do with more fire power in their squads as each of their top scorers have just four goals in the league so far this season. Corcoran leads the way in front of goal for Bohemains and Coughlin provides the most threat going forward for Bray Wanderers.

We’re confident that Bohemians will beat Bray Wanderers and that both teams will score on Friday as they have a great record against their visitors and have outperformed them so far this season. The visitors have been very poor in defence as well as going forward and we don’t believe they have what it takes to win away from home against Bohemians. In terms of a final score, we’re backing the hosts to claim a narrow 2-1 win.

Bohemians’ Predicted Lineup: Supple, Kelly, Cornwall, Casey, Lunney, Ward, Buckley, Devaney, Leahy, Brennan, Corcoran.

Bray Wanderers’ Predicted Lineup: Moran, Kenna, Harding, Gorman, Heaney, Mamaliga, Walsh, O’Conor, Kelly, Pender, Ellis.