Bitesize Prediction: Bray vs Shelbourne – 21/07/24

Competition: FAI Cup

Market: Shelbourne win

Odds: 1/2 @ 1xBet

Looking to extend on their FAI Cup adventure on Sunday afternoon, a high-flying Shelbourne will travel to the Carlisle Grounds when they meet Bray.

Starting with the hosts, while Bray might still find themselves batting it out in the First Division play-off chase, the Wanderers are seeking some recent stability. Despite snatching an action-packed 3-3 stalemate away at Kerry last time out, Ian Ryan’s men have recorded just a single victory from any of their previous five second-tier appearances. Opening July with a 1-0 loss at the hands of Cork City, the Seagulls have also shown some extended defensive issues. Including a 2-0 defeat against Treaty United last month, Bray have recorded just a single clean sheet across any competition since the end of May. Facing what will certainly prove to be a monumental challenge when they turn their attention back to FAI Cup action, Ryan’s side will be worried by a nightmare record against Sunday’s guests. Including a 1-0 loss when they met Shelbourne for a friendly season last season, they have collected just a single win from any of their previous 10 battles.

As for the visitors, extending on their Europa Conference League qualifying adventure earlier in the week as they secured a 3-2 aggregate victory against Gibraltar-based outfit St. Josephs, Shelbourne are in the midst of a real fairytale. Remarkably leading the chase at the top of the Premier Division standings and looking to get their hands on a first domestic crown since 2006, Damien Duff’s side find the mood in their camp at a famous high. In fact, along with collecting 10 points from their previous four showdowns against top-flight opposition, they have also suffered just a single defeat from any of their last 15 straight matchups across all competitions. With that astonishing flurry stemming all the way back to April 19th, the one-time Chelsea star will be calling on his squad to make another statement here. Likewise, claiming a thumping 3-0 romp when they last travelled to Bray for an FAI Cup showdown back in July 2022, we are expecting a similar outcome this weekend.

Bet: Shelbourne 1/2 to beat Bray in Sunday’s FAI Cup tie @ 1xBet